"
The Prime Minister nodded his acquiescence.
"I believe you are right, Mr. Holmes. He would take so valuable
a prize to head-quarters with his own hands. I think that your
course of action is an excellent one. Meanwhile, Hope,
we cannot neglect all our other duties on account of this one
misfortune. Should there be any fresh developments during the
day we shall communicate with you, and you will no doubt let us
know the results of your own inquiries."
The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely from the room.
When our illustrious visitors had departed Holmes lit his pipe
in silence, and sat for some time lost in the deepest thought.
I had opened the morning paper and was immersed in a sensational
crime which had occurred in London the night before, when my
friend gave an exclamation, sprang to his feet, and laid his
pipe down upon the mantelpiece.
"Yes," said he, "there is no better way of approaching it.
The situation is desperate, but not hopeless. Even now,
if we could be sure which of them has taken it, it is just
possible that it has not yet passed out of his hands.
After all, it is a question of money with these fellows,
and I have the British Treasury behind me.
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