Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-15

ever communicate to the
public. This resolution OF mine was
not due TO any lack Of material, since
/ have notes of many hundreds of cases
TO which have never alluded, nor was
1t caused by 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 as he was
in actual professional practice the rec
ords of his successes were of some
practical value 10 him, but since he has
definitely retired from London and be-
taken himself to study and bee farm
ing on the Sussex downs notoriety has
become hateful to him, and he has per-
emptOrily requested that his wishes in
this matter should be strictly observed.
1t was only upon my representing to
him that l had given a promise that
THE Adventure Of the Second Stain"
should be published when the times
were ripe and pointing out to him that
IL is only appropriate that this long
series of episodes should eliminate in
the most important international case
which he has ever been called upon to
handle that | at last succeeded in OBJ
tanning his consent that a carefully
guarded account of the incident should
at last he laid before the public.
1t was. then, in year. even in a dec
sde that shall be namelesS, that upon one
Tuesday morning in autumn we found
two visitors of European fame within
the walls of our humble room In Baker
street. The one. austere, high nosed,
eagle eyed and dominant, was none 9th
or than the illustriouS Lord BelIinger,
twice premier of Britain. The other
dark, clean cut and elegant hardly yet
OF middle age and endowed with ev-
cry beauty OF body and of mind. was
the Right Hon. Trelawney Hope. see
rotary for European affairs. and the
most rising statesman in the country.
They sat side by side upon our paper
Uttered settee and IL was easy to see
from their worn and anxious faces that
IL 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,
"SNfDt law lbOhth klDOuillg llOlu
Holmes to me The European score
tary pulled nervously at his mustache
and fdgeted with the seals OF his
watch chain.
when / discovered my loss, Mr..
Holmes, which was at 8 o'clock this
morning. I at once Informed the prime
minister. II was at his suggestion that
we have both come TO you"
Have you Informed the pOlicey'
NO, sir" said the prime minister,
With the quick, decisive manner for
which he was famous We have not
done so. nor is il possible that we
should do so. To inform the police
must, in the long run, mean to inform
the public. This is what we particular
~ desire to avoid"
And why, sirT''
Because the document in question
Is OF such immense Importance that its
publication might very easily might
almost say probably-lead TO European
complications Of the utmost moment.
1t is not too much TO say that peace or
war may hang upon the Issue. Unless
its recovery can be attended with the
utmost secrecy then II may as we'll not
bN A'NbNNAfA dN an. lot All ludI IL ann
ell at by those who have taken IL is
that its contents should be generally
known"
Il understand. Now. Mr. Trelawney
Hope. should be much obliged if YOU
would tell me exactly the clrcum-
stances under which this document
disappeared"
That can lie done I'm n very few
words. Mr.. Holmes. The letter-for il
was letter from a foreign potentate-
was received six days ago 1t was OF
such Importance thar / have never left
ii IN my safe, but | have taken il
across each evening TO my house in
Whitehall terrace and kept ID in nv
bedroom in Il locked dispatch box. 1t
was there last night. OF that ! am
certain. actually opened the box
while I was dressing for dinner and
saw the document inside. This morn
ing il was gone. The dispatch box had
stood beside the glass upon my dress
ing table all night am a light sleep
er. and so is my wife. We are both
prepared 70 swear that no one could
have entered the room during the
night and yet repeat that the paper
is gone
What time did you dine?"
Half past -
How long vas IL before yo8 went
TO bedg'
my wife had gone to the theater
waited up for her. Ii was half past IL
before we went TO our room"
Then for four hours the dispatch
box had lain unguardedT"
NO one is ever permitted to enter
that room save the housemaid IN the
morning and my valet or my wife's
maid during the rest of the day. They
are both trusty servants and have been