Yet I was sure that with his revengeful nature he would never
give it to me of his own free will. I must get it for myself.
With this object I engaged an agent from a private detective firm,
who entered my husband's house as secretary -- it was your
second secretary, Sergius, the one who left you so hurriedly.
He found that papers were kept in the cupboard, and he got an
impression of the key. He would not go farther. He furnished
me with a plan of the house, and he told me that in the forenoon
the study was always empty, as the secretary was employed up here.
So at last I took my courage in both hands and I came down to
get the papers for myself. I succeeded, but at what a cost!
"I had just taken the papers and was locking the cupboard when
the young man seized me. I had seen him already that morning.
He had met me in the road and I had asked him to tell me where
Professor Coram lived, not knowing that he was in his employ."
"Exactly! exactly!" said Holmes. "The secretary came back and
told his employer of the woman he had met. Then in his last
breath he tried to send a message that it was she -- the she whom
he had just discussed with him.
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