She left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and surprise.

"Do you mean that she has left England ?" "Never to return." "And the papers ?" asked the King hoarsely.

"All is lost." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself.

The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight.

Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter.