Heavens, I hear his step upon the stair!"
The European Secretary burst excitedly into the room.
"Any news, Mr. Holmes, any news?" he cried.
"I have some hopes."
"Ah, thank heaven!" His face became radiant. "The Prime
Minister is lunching with me. May he share your hopes? He has
nerves of steel, and yet I know that he has hardly slept since
this terrible event. Jacobs, will you ask the Prime Minister
to come up? As to you, dear, I fear that this is a matter of
politics. We will join you in a few minutes in the dining-room."
The Prime Minister's manner was subdued, but I could see by
the gleam of his eyes and the twitchings of his bony hands
that he shared the excitement of his young colleague.
"I understand that you have something to report, Mr. Holmes?"
"Purely negative as yet," my friend answered. "I have inquired
at every point where it might be, and I am sure that there is no
danger to be apprehended."
"But that is not enough, Mr. Holmes. We cannot live for ever
on such a volcano. We must have something definite."
"I am in hopes of getting it. That is why I am here.
The more I think of the matter the more convinced I am
that the letter has never left this house.
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