Even now this report from Paris does not
help us much."
"Surely it is final as regards the man's death."
"The man's death is a mere incident -- a trivial episode -- in
comparison with our real task, which is to trace this document
and save a European catastrophe. Only one important thing has
happened in the last three days, and that is that nothing has
happened. I get reports almost hourly from the Government,
and it is certain that nowhere in Europe is there any sign of
trouble. Now, if this letter were loose -- no, it CAN'T be
loose -- but if it isn't loose, where can it be? Who has it?
Why is it held back? That's the question that beats in my brain
like a hammer. Was it, indeed, a coincidence that Lucas should
meet his death on the night when the letter disappeared?
Did the letter ever reach him? If so, why is it not among his
papers? Did this mad wife of his carry it off with her? If so,
is it in her house in Paris? How could I search for it without
the French police having their suspicions aroused? It is a case,
my dear Watson, where the law is as dangerous to us as the
criminals are.
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