absolutely frank with us."

The quick eye of my companion had noted some change in her
manner. She coloured and hesitated.

"Yes," she said at last, "I had a feeling that there was
something on his mind."

"For long?"

"Only for the last week or so. He was thoughtful and worried.
Once I pressed him about it. He admitted that there was
something, and that it was concerned with his official life. 'It
is too serious for me to speak about, even to you,' said he. I
could get nothing more."

Holmes looked grave.

"Go on, Miss Westbury. Even if it seems to tell against him, go
on. We cannot say what it may lead to."

"Indeed, I have nothing more to tell. Once or twice it seemed to
me that he was on the point of telling me something. He spoke
one evening of the importance of the secret, and I have some
recollection that he said that no doubt foreign spies would pay a
great deal to have it."

My friend's face grew graver still.

"Anything else?"