In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the
card-case is a note. And here is the very note. He slapped it down
upon the table in front of him. Listen to this: You will see me when
all is ready. Come at once. F. H. M. Now my theory all along has been
that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar, and that she,
with confederates, no doubt, was responsible for her disappearance.
Here, signed with her initials, is the very note which was no doubt
quietly slipped into her hand at the door and which lured her within
their reach.
Very good, Lestrade, said Holmes, laughing. You really are very fine
indeed. Let me see it. He took up the paper in a listless way, but his
attention instantly became riveted, and he gave a little cry of
satisfaction. This is indeed important, said he.
Ha! you find it so?
Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly.
Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. Why, he
shrieked, you re looking at the wrong side!
On the contrary, this is the right side.
The right side? You re mad! Here is the note written in pencil over
here.
And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel bill,
which interests me deeply.
There s nothing in it. I looked at it before, said Lestrade. Oct.
4th, rooms 8_s_., breakfast 2_s_. 6_d_., cocktail 1_s_., lunch 2_s_.
6_d_., glass sherry, 8_d_. I see nothing in that.
Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the note,
it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I congratulate
you again.
I ve wasted time enough, said Lestrade, rising. I believe in hard
work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Good-day,
237