No. 13 The Adventure of the Second Stain by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 13 The Adventure of the Second Stain by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Arthur Conan Doyle

I had intended " the adventure of_the abbey grange " to_be the last of_those exploits of_my friend , Mr Sherlock Holmes, which i_should ever communicate to_the public this resolution of_mine was not due any lack material , since I_have notes many hundreds cases to_which I_have never alluded , nor was_it caused any waning interest on_the_part of_my readers in_the singular personality and unique methods of_this remarkable man the real reason lay in_the reluctance which Mr Holmes has shown to_the continued publication of_his experiences so_long he_was actual professional practice the records of_his successes were some practical value him ; but since has definitely retired from London and betaken himself study and bee -farming on_the Sussex Downs, notoriety has become hateful him , and has peremptorily requested that his wishes in_this_matter should_be strictly observed it_was only upon representing him that I had given promise that " the adventure of_the second stain " published when_the times were ripe , and pointing out him that_it_is only appropriate that_this long series episodes should culminate in_the most important international case which has ever been called upon handle , that I last succeeded obtaining his consent that carefully - guarded account of_the incident should last laid before_the public telling the story I seem_to_be somewhat vague certain details the public will readily understand that_there_is excellent reason for_my reticence

it_was , then , year , and even decade , that shall nameless , that upon one Tuesday morning autumn we_found two visitors European fame within_the walls of_our humble room baker street the one , austere , high -nosed, eagle - eyed , and dominant , was none other_than the illustrious lord Bellinger, twice premier Britain the other , dark , clear - cut , and elegant , hardly yet middle age , and endowed with every beauty body and mind , was_the right Honourable Trelawney hope , secretary for European Affairs, and_the most rising statesman in_the country they sat side side upon our paper - littered settee , and it_was easy to_see from their worn and anxious faces that_it_was business of_the most pressing importance which had brought them the premier 's thin , blue - veined hands were clasped tightly over the ivory head of_his umbrella , and_his gaunt, ascetic face looked gloomily from Holmes to_me the European secretary pulled nervously his moustache and fidgeted with_the seals of_his watch - chain

" when I discovered loss , Mr Holmes, which_was eight o'clock this_morning , I once informed the prime minister it_was his suggestion that we_have both come to_you "

" have_you informed the police ? "

" , sir ," said the prime minister , with_the quick , decisive manner for_which he_was famous " we_have_not done , nor is_it possible that we_should do_so inform the police must , in_the long run , mean inform the public this_is what particularly desire avoid "

" and why , sir ? "

" because the document in_question of_such immense importance that its publication might very easily -- I_might almost say probably -- lead European complications of_the utmost moment it_is_not too_much to_say that peace war may hang upon_the issue unless its recovery can_be attended with_the utmost secrecy , then may as_well not recovered all , for all that_is aimed by_those who_have taken is_that its contents should_be generally known "

"I understand now , Mr Trelawney hope , i_should_be much obliged if_you_would tell exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared "

" that_can_be done very few words, Mr Holmes the letter -- for it_was letter from foreign potentate -- was received six days_ago it_was of_such importance that I_have never left safe , but I_have taken across each evening house Whitehall terrace , and kept bedroom locked despatch- box it_was there last night of_that I_am certain I actually opened the box while i_was dressing for dinner , and saw the document inside this_morning it_was gone the despatch- box had stood beside the glass upon dressing- table all night I_am light sleeper , and wife we_are both prepared swear that one could_have entered the room during the night and yet I repeat that_the paper gone "

" what time did you dine ? "

" half - past seven "

" how long was_it before_you went bed ? "

" wife had gone to_the theatre I waited for her it_was half - past eleven before went our room "

" then for four hours the despatch- box had lain unguarded ? "

" one ever permitted enter that room save the housemaid in_the morning , and valet , wife 's maid , during the rest of_the day they_are both trusty servants who have_been with_us for some_time besides , neither of_them could possibly have known that there_was anything more valuable than_the ordinary departmental papers despatch- box "

" who did know of_the existence of_that letter ? "

" one in_the house "

" surely your wife knew ? "

" , sir ; I had said nothing wife until I missed the paper this_morning "

the premier nodded approvingly

" I_have long known , sir , how high your sense public duty ," said " I_am convinced that in_the case secret of_this importance would rise superior to_the most intimate domestic ties "

the European secretary bowed

" you_do more than justice , sir until this_morning I_have never breathed one word wife upon this_matter "

" could she have guessed ? "

" , Mr Holmes, she_could_not have guessed -- nor could anyone have guessed "

" have_you lost any documents before ? "

" , sir "

" who is_there England who did know of_the existence of_this letter ? "

" each member of_the cabinet was informed yesterday ; but the pledge secrecy which attends every cabinet meeting was increased by_the solemn warning which_was given by_the prime minister good heavens, to_think that within few hours i_should myself have lost ! " his handsome face was distorted with spasm despair , and_his hands tore his hair for moment caught glimpse of_the natural man , impulsive , ardent , keenly sensitive the next the aristocratic mask was replaced , and_the gentle voice had returned " besides the members of_the cabinet there_are two , possibly three , departmental officials who_know of_the letter one else England , Mr Holmes, I assure you "

" but abroad ? "

"I believe that one abroad has seen save the man who wrote I_am well convinced that his Ministers -- that_the usual official channels have_not_been employed "

Holmes considered for some little time

" now , sir , I_must ask_you more particularly what this document , and why its disappearance should_have such momentous consequences ? "

the two statesmen exchanged quick glance and_the premier 's shaggy eyebrows gathered frown

" Mr Holmes, the envelope long , thin one pale blue colour there_is seal red wax stamped with crouching lion it_is addressed large , bold handwriting ---"

" I_fear , sir ," said Holmes, " that , interesting and indeed essential as_these details are , inquiries must more to_the root things what_was the letter ? "

" that_is state secret of_the utmost importance , and I_fear that I_cannot tell you , nor I_see that_it_is necessary by_the aid of_the powers which you_are said possess you_can find such envelope I describe with its enclosure , you_will_have deserved well your country , and earned any reward which lies in_our power bestow "

Sherlock Holmes rose with smile

" you_are two of_the most busy men in_the country ," said , " and own small way I_have also good_many calls upon I_regret exceedingly that I_cannot help_you in_this_matter , and any continuation of_this interview would_be waste of_time "

the premier sprang to_his feet with_that quick , fierce gleam of_his deep - set eyes before which cabinet has cowered " I_am not accustomed , sir ----" began , but mastered his anger and resumed his seat for minute more all sat silence then the old statesman shrugged his shoulders

" we_must accept your terms , Mr Holmes no_doubt you_are right , and it_is unreasonable for_us expect you act unless give_you our entire confidence "

"I agree with_you , sir ," said the younger statesman

" then i_will tell you , relying entirely upon your honour and_that your colleague , Dr Watson I_may appeal your patriotism also , for I_could_not imagine greater misfortune for_the country than that_this affair should come out "

" you_may safely trust "

" the letter , then , from certain foreign potentate who has_been ruffled some recent colonial developments of_this country it_has_been written hurriedly and upon his own responsibility entirely inquiries have shown that his Ministers know nothing of_the matter at_the same time it_is couched unfortunate manner , and certain phrases in_it are provocative character , that its publication would undoubtedly lead most dangerous state feeling in_this country there would_be such ferment , sir , that I_do_not hesitate to_say that within week of_the of_that letter this country involved great war "

Holmes wrote name upon slip paper and handed to_the premier

" exactly it_was and is_this letter -- this letter which_may well mean the expenditure thousand millions and_the lives hundred men -- which_has become lost in_this unaccountable fashion "

" have_you informed the sender ? "

" yes , sir , cipher has_been despatched "

" perhaps desires the publication of_the letter "

" , sir , we_have strong reason to_believe that already understands that has acted indiscreet and hot - headed manner would_be greater blow him and to_his country than to_us if_this letter were to_come out "

" if_this_is , whose interest is_it that_the letter should come out ? why should anyone desire steal to_publish ? "

" there , Mr Holmes, you take into regions high international politics but if_you consider the European situation you_will_have difficulty perceiving the motive the whole Europe armed camp there_is double league which makes fair balance military power Great_Britain holds the scales Britain were driven into war with one confederacy , would assure the supremacy of_the other , whether they joined in_the war not do_you follow ? "

" very clearly it_is then the interest of_the enemies of_this potentate secure and publish this letter , to_make breach between his country and ours ? "

" yes , sir "

" and to_whom would this document sent if_it fell into_the hands enemy ? "

" any of_the great Chancelleries Europe it_is probably speeding its way thither at_the present instant fast steam can take "

Mr Trelawney hope dropped his head on_his chest and groaned aloud the premier placed his hand kindly upon his shoulder

" it_is your misfortune , dear fellow one can blame you there_is precaution which you_have neglected now , Mr Holmes, you_are full possession of_the facts what course do_you recommend ? "

Holmes shook his head mournfully

" you_think , sir , that unless this document recovered there_will_be war ? "

" i_think it_is very probable "

" then , sir , prepare for war "

" that_is hard saying, Mr Holmes "

" consider the facts, sir it_is inconceivable that_it_was taken after eleven-thirty night , since I understand that Mr hope and_his wife were both in_the room from_that hour until the loss was found out it_was taken , then , yesterday evening between seven-thirty and eleven-thirty, probably near the earlier hour , since whoever took evidently knew that_it_was there and would naturally secure early possible now , sir , document of_this importance were taken at_that hour , where can now ? one has any reason retain it_has_been passed rapidly to_those who_need what chance have now overtake even trace ? it_is beyond our reach "

the prime minister rose from_the settee

" what you say perfectly logical , Mr Holmes I_feel that_the matter indeed out of_our hands "

" let_us presume , for argument 's sake , that_the document was taken by_the maid by_the valet ----"

" they_are both old and tried servants "

"I understand you to_say that your room on_the second floor , that_there_is entrance from without , and_that from within one could unobserved must , then , somebody in_the house who has taken to_whom would the thief take ? one several international spies and secret agents, whose names are tolerably familiar to_me there_are three who_may_be said to_be the heads of_their profession i_will begin research going round and finding each of_them his post one missing -- especially has disappeared since last night -- we_will_have some indication as_to where the document has gone "