by Arthur Conan Doyle

I had intended "The Adventure Abbey Grange" the last exploits friend, Mr Sherlock Holmes, which ever communicate public This resolution was not due to any lack of material, since notes of many hundreds of cases never alluded, nor caused by any waning interest readers singular personality and unique methods remarkable man The real reason lay reluctance which Mr Holmes has shown continued publication experiences as in actual professional practice the records successes were of some practical value to him; but since he has definitely retired from London and betaken himself to study and bee-farming Sussex Downs, notoriety has become hateful to him, and he has peremptorily requested that his wishes strictly observed only upon my representing to him that I had given promise that "The Adventure Second Stain" published times were ripe, and pointing out to him only appropriate long series of episodes should culminate most important international case which he has ever been called upon to handle, that I at last succeeded in obtaining his consent that carefully-guarded account incident should at last be laid public If in telling the story I somewhat vague in certain details the public will readily understand an excellent reason reticence

, then, in year, and even in decade, that shall be nameless, that upon one Tuesday morning in autumn two visitors of European fame walls humble room in Baker Street The one, austere, high-nosed, eagle-eyed, and dominant, was none the illustrious Lord Bellinger, twice Premier of Britain The other, dark, clear-cut, and elegant, hardly yet of middle age, and endowed with every beauty of body and of mind, Right Honourable Trelawney Hope, Secretary for European Affairs, most rising statesman country They sat side by side upon our paper-littered settee, and easy from their worn and anxious faces business most pressing importance which had brought them The Premier's thin, blue-veined hands were clasped tightly over the ivory head umbrella, gaunt, ascetic face looked gloomily from Holmes The European Secretary pulled nervously at his moustache and fidgeted seals watch-chain

"When I discovered my loss, Mr Holmes, at eight o'clock , I at once informed the Prime Minister at his suggestion that both come "

" informed the police ? "

"No, sir," said the Prime Minister, quick, decisive manner famous " done so, nor possible that To inform the police must, long run, mean to inform the public what we particularly desire to avoid "

"And why, sir ? "

"Because the document is immense importance that its publication might very easily -- almost say probably -- lead to European complications utmost moment that peace or war may hang issue Unless its recovery attended utmost secrecy, then it may not be recovered at all, for all aimed at taken it its contents generally known "

"I understand Now, Mr Trelawney Hope, much obliged tell me exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared "

"That in very few words, Mr Holmes The letter -- for letter from foreign potentate -- was received six importance that never left it in my safe, but taken it across each evening to my house in Whitehall Terrace, and kept it in my bedroom in locked despatch-box there last night certain I actually opened the box while dressing for dinner, and saw the document inside gone The despatch-box had stood beside the glass upon my dressing-table all night light sleeper, and so is my wife both prepared to swear that no one entered the room during the night And yet I repeat paper is gone "

"What time did you dine ? "

"Half-past seven "

"How long went to bed ? "

"My wife had gone theatre I waited up for her half-past eleven before we went to our room "

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

"No one is ever permitted to enter that room save the housemaid morning, and my valet, or my wife's maid, during the rest day both trusty servants who for Besides, neither could possibly have known that anything more valuable ordinary departmental papers in my despatch-box "

"Who did know existence letter ? "

"No one house "

"Surely your wife knew ? "

"No, sir; I had said nothing to my wife until I missed the paper "

The Premier nodded approvingly

" long known, sir, how high is your sense of public duty," said he " convinced that case of secret importance it would rise superior most intimate domestic ties "

The European Secretary bowed

" me no more than justice, sir Until never breathed one word to my wife upon "

"Could she have guessed ? "

"No, Mr Holmes, have guessed -- nor could anyone have guessed "

" lost any documents before ? "

"No, sir "

"Who in England who did know existence letter ? "

"Each member Cabinet was informed of it yesterday; but the pledge of secrecy which attends every Cabinet meeting was increased solemn warning given Prime Minister Good heavens, that within few hours myself have lost it ! " His handsome face was distorted with spasm of despair, hands tore at his hair For moment we caught glimpse natural man, impulsive, ardent, keenly sensitive The next the aristocratic mask was replaced, gentle voice had returned "Besides the members Cabinet two, or possibly three, departmental officials letter No one else in England, Mr Holmes, I assure you "

"But abroad ? "

"I believe that no one abroad has seen it save the man who wrote it well convinced that his Ministers -- usual official channels employed "

Holmes considered for some little time

"Now, sir, more particularly what this document is, and why its disappearance such momentous consequences ? "

The two statesmen exchanged quick glance Premier's shaggy eyebrows gathered in frown

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

" , sir," said Holmes, "that, interesting and indeed essential details are, my inquiries must go more root of things the letter ? "

" State secret utmost importance, and that tell you, nor do necessary If aid powers which said to possess find such an envelope as I describe with its enclosure, deserved well of your country, and earned any reward which it lies power to bestow "

Sherlock Holmes rose with smile

" two most busy men country," said he, "and in my own small way also calls upon me exceedingly that , and any continuation interview waste "

The Premier sprang feet quick, fierce gleam deep-set eyes before which Cabinet has cowered " not accustomed, sir ----" he began, but mastered his anger and resumed his seat For minute or more we all sat in silence Then the old statesman shrugged his shoulders

" accept your terms, Mr Holmes right, and unreasonable to expect you to act unless we our entire confidence "

"I agree , sir," said the younger statesman

"Then tell you, relying entirely upon your honour of your colleague, Dr Watson appeal to your patriotism also, for imagine greater misfortune country than affair should come out "

" safely trust us "