from me that naval warfare bees impossible withing the radius
of a Bruce…Partington's operation。 Two years ago a very large
sum was smuggled through the Estimates and was expended in
acquiring a monopoly of the invention。 Every effort has been
made to keep the secret。 The plans； which are exceedingly
intricate； prising some thirty separate patents； each
essential to the working of the whole； are kept in an elaborate
safe in a confidential office adjoining the arsenal； with
burglar…proof doors and windows。 Under no conceivable
circumstances were the plans to be taken from the office。 If the
chief constructor of the Navy desired to consult them； even he
was forced to go to the Woolwich office for the purpose。 And yet
here we find them in the pocket of a dead junior clerk in the
heart of London。 From an official point of view it's simply
awful。〃
〃But you have recovered them？〃
〃No； Sherlock； no！ That's the pinch。 We have not。 Ten papers
were taken from Woolwich。 There were seven in the pocket of
Cadogan West。 The three most essential are gone……stolen；
vanished。 You must drop everything； Sherlock。 Never mind your
usual petty puzzles of the police…court。 It's a vital
international problem that you have to solve。 Why did Cadogan
West take the papers； where are the missing ones； how did he die；
how came his body where it was found； how can the evil be set
right？ Find an answer to all these questions； and you will have
done good service for your country。〃
〃Why do you not solve it yourself； Mycroft？ You can see as far
as I。〃
〃Possibly； Sherlock。 But it is a questio