13238    She was a striking-looking woman, a little short and thick for symmetry, but with a beautiful olive complexion, large, dark Italian eyes, and a wealth of deep black hair.

13239    Her rich tints made the white face of her companion the more worn and haggard by the contrast.

13240    'I won't waste your time,' said he, raising himself upon the sofa.

13241    'I'll plunge into the matter without further preamble.

13242    I was a happy and successful man, Mr. Holmes, and on the eve of being married, when a sudden and dreadful misfortune wrecked all my prospects in life.

13243    'I was, as Watson may have told you, in the Foreign Office, and through the influence of my uncle, Lord Holdhurst, I rose rapidly to a responsible position.

13244    When my uncle became Foreign Minister in this Administration he gave me several missions of trust, and as I always brought them to a successful conclusion, he came at last to have the utmost confidence in my ability and tact.

13245    'Nearly ten weeks ago - to be more accurate, on the 23rd of May - he called me into his private room and, after complimenting me upon the good work which I had done, informed me that he had a new commission of trust for me to execute.

13246    '"This," said he, taking a grey roll of paper from his bureau, "is the original of that secret treaty between England and Italy, of which, I regret to say, some rumours have already got into the public Press.

13247    It is of enormous importance that nothing further should leak out.

13248    The French or Russian Embassies would pay an immense sum to learn the contents of these papers.

13249    They should not leave my bureau were it not that it is absolutely necessary to have them copied.

13250    You have a desk in your office?"

13251    '"Yes, sir."

13252    '"Then take the treaty and lock it up there.