The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-07

CbuSeu ny any waning interest on
the part of my readers in the sin
gular personality and unique meth
DDS of this remarkable man. The
real reason lay in the reluctance
which Mr.. Holmes has shown to
the continued publication of his ex-
periences. So long as he was in ac-
tual professional practice the records
of his successes were of some prac-
tical value to him, but since he has
definitely retired from London and
betaken himself to study and bee
t-rminS on the Sussex Downs, noto-
llety has become hateful to him, and
he has peremptorily requested that his
wishes in this matter should be strict
ly observed. 1t was only upon my
representing to him that / had given
a promise that "The Adventure of the
+ Second Stain" should be published
when the times were ripe, and point
ing out to him that it is only appro-
pirate that this long series of episodes
should culminate in the most import
ant international case which he has
ever been called upon to handle, that
| at last succeeded in obtaining his
consent that a carefully guarded ac-
count of the incident should at last
be laid before the public. If in telling
the story / seem to be somewhat vague
in certain details, the public will readi-
~ understand that there is an excel
lent reason for my reticence.
1t was, then, in a year, and even in
decade, 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, aus
tere, high-nosed. eagle-eyed, and
dominant, was none other than the il
luStrious Lord Bellinger twice Premier
of Britain. The other. dark, clear
cut. and elegant, hardly yet of middle
age, and endowed with the every beau
ty of body and of mind, was the Right
Honourable Trelawney Hope, Secreta-
ry for European Affairs, and the most
rising statesman in the country They
sat side by side upon our paper-lit-
tered settee, and it was easy to see
1lOlI ClleiI WpTn ana anxious races
that it was business of the most press
ing importance which had brought
them. The Premiers 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 at his
noustache and fidgeted with the seals
of his watch-chain.
when | discovered my loss, Mr.
Holmes, which was at eight o'clock
this morning, | at once informed the
Prime Minister. 1t was at his sug-
gestion that we have both come to
you"
Have you informed the police?"
No, sir said the Prime Minister,
with the quick, decisive manner for |
which he was famous. I'VE have not
done so, nor is it possible that we |
should do so. To inform the police |
must. in the long run, mean to inform |
the public. This is what We particu-
larly desire to avoid
And why, sir?"
Because the document in question
Is of such immense Importance that |
IT'S publication might very easily-I |
might almost say bly-Iead to
European complications of the utmost
moment 1t is not too much to say
mat peace or war may hang upon the
issue Unless it's recovery can be at
tended with the utmost secrecy, then
It may as well not be recovered at all.
Tor all that is aimed at by those who
nave taken it is that its contents
should be generally known"
understand. Now, Mr. TreIaw-
ney Hope, | should be much obliged
II you would tell me exactly the cir
cunlstanees under which this docu-
ment disappeared"
That can be done in a very few
words Mr.. Holmes The Ietter-for
It was letter from foreign poten-
tate-was received six days ago. II
was of such Importance that | have
never left it in my safe, but | have ta-
ken 1t across each evening to my
house in Whitehall Terrace, and kept
1t in my bedroom in a locked dis
1t was there last night.
Of that | am certain, / actually OPEN
I'd the box while | was dressing for
1inner, and saw the document inside
This morning it was gone. The dis
patch-box had stood beside the glass ]