The Omaha
Illustrated ' Bee
KUMBEB SOS.
Entered Second Claw at Omaba Tostoffice rablifbed Wecilj by "The LVe Publishing Co. Subwription, $2.-0 Tor Year.
MAY 7, 1?05.
V
Return of Sherlock Holmes The Adventure of the Second Stain
With This Story the Great World-Fomed Detective Character Created by the Pen of A. Conan Doyle Mokes His Final Exit from the Realm -of Current Fiction
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TCwyrtrt i. It a. cobm xorW. conws Wekiy sd Meciur, rnmfrs
HAJ Intended "Tbe A3 venture of the Abbey
Gnxge" to be tbe last of those exploits of
my friend, VI. Sherlock Holme, which I
should ever communicate to tbe public This
resolution of mine was not due to any lack of
'material, since I have uo'n of hundreds of
cases to which I tare never alluded, nor waa
tt caused by any waning Interest on the irt
f my readers In the singular personality and
unique methods of this remarkable man. Tbe
real reason lay In the reluctance which Mr.
Holmea baa shown to tbe continued publk
Won cf hla experiences. So lone be n in
actual professional practice tbe record of his
successes were of some practical Tain to
Mm, but since be baa definitely retired from
London and betaken himself to study and bee
fanning the Sussex Downs, notoriety has
become hateful to him, and be baa peremp
torily requested that his wishes In this mat-
..... cKranlif 3- frtr r,Vtt.T-r i It v ft ohIt
EgSS;?S3 cn ms "rresentliiK to Mm that I bad given ,a
1 i b Wm Vf? -J mml that "The Adventure of tbe Second
Stain" mould be published when tbe time were ripe, and pointing
out to him that tt la only appropriate that this long series of episode
should culminate In tbe most 'important international case w hich be
baa ever been called open to handle, that I at last succeeded in ob
taining bis consent that a carefully guarded account of the Incident
should at last be laid before the public if in telling tbe story I seem
to be somewhat vague la certain details, the public will readily under
stand that there is an excellent reason for my reticence.
' It was, then, in a year, and even In a decade, that shall be name
less, that wpon one Tuesday morning in autumn we found two visitors
cf European fame within tbe walls of ur bumble room in Baker
street. Tbe one, austere, high-nosed, eagle-eyed and dominant was
none other than the illustrious Lord Beinnger. twice premier of Britain.
Tbe other, dark, dear-cut and elegant, hardly jet of middle ago and
endowed with every beauty of body
and of mind, was the Bight Honorable
Trelawney Hope, secretary for Euro
pean affairs, and tha most rising states
man in the country. Tbey sat side by
side upon our paper-littered settee, and
It was easy to see from their worn and
anxious faces that It waa business of tha
most pressing Importance which had
brought them. Tbe premier's thin, blue
reined hands were clasped tightly over
the rrory bead of his umbrella, and his
(aunt ascetic face looked gloomily
from Holmes to me. Tbe European sec
retary pulled nervously at bis mous
tache and fidgeted with tha seals of his
watch chain,
'When I discovered my loss, Mr.
Holmes, which waa at 8 '-clock this .
morning, I at one informed tbe prima
minister. It waa at hla suggestion that
we have both, coma to ywu."
'Have yon Informed tha poEcer"
- "No, sir said tha prima minister,
with tbe quick, decisive manner for
which he waa famous. "We have not,
done so, nor is it possible that we should
do so. To inform tha police must, in tha
long mm. mean to inform the public.
This Is what w particularly desire to
avoid."
"And why, sir?"
"Because the document In Question is
of such Immense importance that its
publication might very easily I might
almost say probably lead to European
complications of the utmost moment.
It is not toe much ta aay that peaoa or
war may bang npoa the Issue. Unless
Its recovery can be attended with the
utmost secrecy, tlten it tni.v as well not.be recovered at aU. for all
that is aimed at by those who have taken It Is that its contents should
te generally known." .
I understand. Now. Mr. Trelawney Hope, I should be much obligt-d
If you would tell me exactly the circumstances under which this docu
ment disappeared."
"That can l done In a very few words. Mr. Holmes. The letter
for it was a k-rter from a foiclgn potentate waa received six days aco.
It w as of sncb importance that I have never left it in my safe, but I
' have tnk'n it across ach evening to my house in Whitehall Terrace.
. and ktpt It la any bed room b. a locked dispatch box. It .was there last
night Of that I ass certain. I actually epened the box while I was
dressing for dinner, and saw the document inside. This morning it
was gone. The dispatch box bad stood beside the glass upon my
dressing tabla all night. 1 am a light sice per, and so is my wife. We
are both prepared to swear that no on could have entered the room
during tbe night. And yet I repeat that tha paper is gone."
"What time did yon dine?"
"Hair-part 7."
"Uow long waa It before yea went to bed?
"My wife had gone to tha theater. I waited vp for ber. It waa
bjalf-past II before wa went to oar room."
Tbea for four hours tha dispatch box had lain unguarded?"
"" one is ever permitted to enter that room save the housemaid
In the morning and my valet, cr my wife's maid, during the rest of
, the day. Tbey are both trusty servants who have been with na for
some time. Besides, neither of them could possibly have known that
there waa anything more valuable than the ordinary departmental
papers la my dispatch box."
"Who did know of the existence of that letter?"
"No one la the boose."
4 "Surely your wife knew?"
"No, sir. I had said nothing to icy wife nntll I missed the paper
- this morning."
The premier nodded approvingly.
"I have long known, dr. ttvw high la your sense of public duty,",
said be. "I am convinced that la the case of a secret of this im
portance It would rise superior to tha most Intimate domtwtic tie."
Tbe European secretary bowed.
"Ton da me more" Una Justice, sir. tntH this morning I bare never
breathed one word to auy wile upon this matter."
"Could she have guessed?"
"No, Mr. Holmes, she could not bare guessed nor could anyone
have guessed."
"UaTe yoa lost any documenta before?"
-No. air."
"Wbe Is there la England wbe did know of the existence of this
kiter?" - ,
"Each member ef the cabinet was Informed of it yesterday, but tbe
pledge of secrecy which atu-nda every tabinet meeting was Increased
by the aolenoi warning which was given by the printe minister. Good
beseens, to think that wfthla a few hours I should suyejf have lost
It!" ILis handsome face was distorted with a sputa of despair and
bis bands tore at bis hair. For a ntonent we caught a glimpse of the
natural man. impulsive, ardent keenly senslttve. Tbe neit the aris
tocratic mask waa replaced and the gentle tomw had reiutced. "Be
aides tha members of the cabinet tUtrt are two. or possibly three, de-
Last in Sherlock SHIolmes Series
NEXT
SUNDAY'S
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WILL BE FOLLOWED BY.
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artmental officials who know of tbe letter. No cne ele in England,
Mr. Holmes. I assure you."
"But abroad?"
"I believe that no one abroad has seen it save the mn who wrote it
I am well convinced that bis mluisters that the usual official chan
nels have not been employed."
Holmes considered for some little time.
"Now, sir, I must ask you more particularly what this document is
and why Its disappearance should have such momentous conse
Qnences?" Tbe two statesmen exchanged a quick glanca and the premier's
shapgy eyebrows gathered in a frown.
Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a lone, thin one of pale blue color.
There ia a seal of red wax stamped with a crouching lion. It Is ad
dressed In large, bold handwriting to "
"I fear, sir," said Holmes, "that, interesting and indoed essential as
these details are, my Inquiries must go more to the rot of things.
What was the letter?"
"That is a state secret of the utmost importance, and I fear that I
cannot tell yon, nor do I see that it Is necessary. If by tbe aid of the
powers which you are said to possess you can find ueh an envelope
as I described, with its enclosure, you will have deserved well of your
country and earned an reward which It Ilea In our power to bestow."
Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.
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THERE IS A 8BCOXD ETAXN. BUT IT OESJTT CORRESPOND WITH THE CTHEB.
"Ton are two of the most bnsy men in the country," said be. "and
in my own small way I have also a good many calls upon me. I re
gret exceedingly that I cannot help yon in this matter, and any con
tinuation of this Interview would be a waste of time."
The premier sprang to his feet with that quick, fierce gleam of his
deep-set eyes before which a cabinet has cowered. "I am not accus
tomed, sir." be began, but mastered his anger and resumed hia seat
For a minute or more we all sat in silence. Then the old statesman
shrugged his shoulders.
"We must accept your terms, Mr. Holmes. No doubt yon axe right,
and it Is unreasonable for cs to expect yon to act unless we give you
our entire confidence."
"I agree with you." said the younger statesman.
"Then I will tell yon. relying entirely upon your honor and that of
your colleague. Dr. Watson, I may appeal to your patriotism also,
for I could not Imagine a greater mlsfortuns for tha country than
that this affair should come out"
"Too may safely trust na,"
"Tha letter, then. Is from a certain foreign potentate who baa been
ruffled by some recent colonial developments of this country. It baa
been written hurriedly and upon hla own responsibility entirely. In
quiries have shown that hia ministers know nothing of the matter.
At tha sajne CUfaa tt ia couched In ao unfortunate a manner, and cer
tain phrases In It are of ao provocative a character, that Its publication
would undoubtedly lead to a most dangerous state of feeling in this
country. There would be such a ferment, air. that I do not hesitate
to aay that within a week of the publication of that letter this coun
try would be Involved In a great war."
Holmes wrote a name upon a slip of paper and handed it to tha
premier.
"Exactly. It waa bo. And tt Is this letter this letter which may
well mean tha expenditure of a thousand millions and the lives of a
hundred thousand men which has become lost In this unaccountable
fashion."
"Have you Informed the sender?"
"lea. air. a cipher telegram baa been dispatched."
"Perhaps "he desires the publication of the letter."
"No, sir; wa have strong reason to believe that he already under
stands that be has acted in an indiscreet and bot-headed manner. It
would be a greater blow to hits and to his country than to us if tt
letter were to come out"
"If this Is so. whose interest Is It that tha letter should come out?
Why should anyone desire to steal tt or to publish It?"
"There, Mr. Holmes, yoa take me into regiona of high international
politics. But if yon consider the European situation you will hare no
difficulty In perceiving the motive. The whole of Europe is an armed
camp. There is a donble league which makea a fair balance of mili
tary power. Great Britain holds tha scalea. If Britain were driven
into war with one confederacy. It would assure the supreniacy of tho
other confederacy, whether they Joined In tha war or not Do yon
follow?"
-Very clearly. It la. then, the interest of the enemies of this poten
tate to secure and publish this letter, so as to make a breach bet w era
bis country and ours?"
"Tea. sir."
"And to whom would this document be seat If K fell lata the bands
of aa enemy?"
"To any of the great chancelleries of Europe. It it probably speed
ing on its way thliher at the present instant as fast as Ftcam can
take it
Mr. Trelawney Hope dropped his bead on bis -best and groaned
aloud. The premier placed his baud kindly up-jn his shoulder.
"It is your misfortune, my uar fellow. No one can Wame you. Thfre
is no precaution which you have nvplectwl. Now. Mr. Uolmet.. you are
in full possession of the fart. What course do you recoiunwudy"
. Iloliuvs shook his had mourn full v.
-You think, fir, that unless this dvuux'Ht is rTvetvd there will
be narr'
-1 think it is very protiable."
"Then, sir, prepare for war."
"That is hard saying. Mr. Holmes."
"Consider the facts, sir. It is inconceivable that It was takf-u after
,11;3C at 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 7:30 and 11:30. probably near
the earlier hour, slace whoever took it evidently knew that it was
there and would naturally secure it as early as possible. New, sir.
If a document of this Importance were taken at that hour, where can
ft be now? No one has any reason to retain it It has been passed
rapidlv on e those who need it What chance have we now to over
take It or even trace It? It is bpyond our reach."
The prime minister rose from tbe settee.
"What you say is .perfectly logical Mr. Holmea.
I feel that the matter ia indeed out of our hands."
"Let us presume, for argument's sake, that the
document was taken by the maid or by tbe valet"
"They are both old and tried servanta."
"I understand you to say that your room is on the
second floor, that there is no entrance from without
and that from within no one could go up u not rv ed
it must then, be somebody In tbe house who lias
taken It To whom would the thief take it? To one
of several International spies and secret agents,
whose names are tolerably familiar to me. There
are three who may be said to be the beads of their
profession. I will begin my research by going round
..and finding If each of them is at his post If one is
missing especiaDy if he has disappeared since last
. - night we will have some Indication as to wiiere tha
document haa gone."
"Why should be be missing?" asked the European
. - J ecretary. "He would take the letter to an embassy
- "" ; im London, as Ekely as not"
; "I fancy sot ' These agents wort Independently,
and their relations with the embassies are often
- trained."
The prime minister nodded his acquiescence.
"I believe you are right Mr. Holmes. He would
take so valuable a prize to headquarters with his
own hands. I think that your course of action Is an
excellent one. Miauwhfle, Hope, we cannot neglect
all our other duties on account of this one "misfor
tune. Ebould there be any fresh developments dur
ing the day we shall communicate with you, and you
will no doubt let us know the result of your own In
quiries." The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely
from the room.
When our illustrious visitors had departed Holmes
lit his pipe In silence and sat for some time lost in
the deepest thought I had opened the morning paper
and was immersed in a sensational crime which hri occurred in Lon
don the uight before, when my friend gave an exclamation, sprang to
his feet and laid down hia pipe upon the mantelpiece. ' ,
"Tea, said be, "there is no better way of approaching It The situa
tion ia desperate, but not bopelesa. Even now. if we could be sure
which of them has . taken It it Is just ittssible that tt has not yet
passed out of his hands. After all, it is a question of money with
these fellows, and I have the British treasury behind me. If it's on the
market Til buy it if it means another penny on the income tax. It is
conceivable that the fellow might bold it back to see what bid comes
from this side before he tries his luck on the other. There are only
those three capable of playing so bold a game there are Obersteln,
La Rothlere and Eduardo Lucas. I wiH see each of them."
I glanced at my morning paper.
"Ia that Eduardo Lucas of Codolphin street?"
"Tea."
"Ton wiH not see him."
"Why not?"
"Ha waa murdered la hla house last night"
My friend has so often astonished me in the course of our adven
tures that It waa with a sense of exultation that I realized bow com
pletely I bad astonished "him. Ho stared In amasement. and then
snaU-bed tbe ijor from -ray hands. This waa the paragraph which X
had Ixrn engaged in reading when he rose from his chair:
MVR1EK IN WESTMINSTER.
A trim? ef irrctertous chkratter was committed lart nlalit at 1C GoSolphla
stiwt. aiif t.f the oia-fitf hlmied and secluded row of elgbtaeatn century
bourn which lie brtveeo the nrr and tbe abber. almost la lbs shadow of
the frrm. towfr oX the Houses of Par H.ment- This itmaU but select ma
rion ha h-fn lchahHed for 'ro e r by Mr. Eduardo Lacaa, well knewn
In rocietr tjrc W'H. both on soooust of his channmg persoamlltr and becaas
be has tbe well flfrveJ reputation of being ou of tbe beset sjnalevr tenors
In the country. Mr. Luck is an unmarried man. tl rears ef ass. and bis ee
tahiithment con if of Mr. Print 1. an elderly housekeeper, and ef Mil
tsn, his valet. The former retires early and sleep at the top of the houM.
The valet - cut for the evening. vlmlUnr a frtond at Hammersmith.
Prom 3 okw k onward Mr. Luoas had tbe bourn to himself. TTnat occurred
during that time ha not yat tranvplred, but al a quarter to 12 Police Coav
table Barrett. phf!t a alonr Oodoltihln street, observed thai the door ef
Xn. 1C wa ajar. 11 knocked, but received no anwer. Pvceivins a light
in the from room, tic advanced Into tb pasnag and again knocked, bat
without reply. ' He then puehed ojen th door and entered. The room
was In a state of wild dimrder. the furniture bring all swtpt to one tdde and
one rhalr lying on it bark in the renter. Beside this chair, and stiU grasp
tng one of it g&. lay the unfortunate tenant ef the hour. Hs had been
stabbed to the hejert laid must have died lntanUy. Tbe knife with which
the crime had been committed was a curved Indian dagger, plucked down
from a trophy of Oriental arm which adorned on of the valla. Robbery
d'X-s rxt aj.jwar to l.vp been th motive of the crime, for thee had been
mi attempt to remove tbe valuable .contents of tha room. Mr. 'Ednareo
Luca wa ao well known and popular that his violent and mysterious fats
will rtrouae j.iEful Interest and lutein sympathy la a widespread, circle of
trinda. .
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H S&ATSD rTrBSrlJ" WITH EU BACK TO TILS WIXKOW.
-Well, Watson, w hat do you make of this?" asked Holmes, after a
long pause.
"It Is an amaxing coincidence."
"A colnciUence! Here ia one of the three men whom we bad named
as possible actors in this drama, and he meets a violent death during
tbe vfry hours vbca we know that that dm ma was being enacted.
Tbe odds are enormous sgalnst its being coincidence. No figures
could ex pro r them. No, my dear Watson, the two events are con
nectedmust be connweted. It is for ns to find the connection."
-But now tbe official police must know alL"
"Not at alL They know all they see st Godolphln street They
know and shall know nothing of Whitehall Terrace. Only we know
of both events, and can trace the relation between them. There la
one obvious point which would, in any case, have turned my suspi
cions against Lucas. Go dolphin street, Westminster, is only a few
minutes' walk from Whitehall Terrace. Tbe other secret agents whom
I have named live in the extreme West End. It was easier, there
fore, for Lucas than for the others to establish a connection or re
ceive a message from the European secretarya household a small
thing, and yet where events are compressed into a few hours it may
prove essential. . Halk! what have we here?"
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a lady's card upon ber salver.
Holmes glanced at It raised his eyebrows, and banded it over to me.
-Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope If she will be kind enough to
step up," said he. '
A moment later our modest apartment, already distinguished that
morning, was further honored by the entrance of the most lovely
woman in London. I had often heard of tha beauty of the youngest
daughter of the duke of Belminster. but no description of it, and no
contemplation of colorless photographs, had prepared ma for the sub
tle, delicate charm and the beautiful coloring of that exquisite head.
And yet aa we saw it that autumn xnorxing, it was not Its beauty,
which would be the first thing to impress the observer. The cheek
was lovely, but It waa paled with emotion, tne eyes wens bright, but
it was tbe brtghfnesa.of fever; the sensitiso month was tight and
drawn In an effort after elf -command. Terror ot beauty waa what
sprang first to the eye as our fair visiter 'stood framed for aa Instant
In the open door. "
. "Has my husband been here, Mr. Holmes? -
"Yes, madam, be has been bere." . -. -m
"Mr. Holmes. I implore yon not to tell him that I came here."
Holmea bowed coldly, and motioned the lady to a chair.
"Your ladyship places me in a very delicate position. I beg that
you will alt down and tell me what you desire, but I fear that 1 can
not make any unconditional promise."
She swept across the room and seated herself with her back to the
window. It was a queenly presence tall, graceful and Intensely
womanly.
-Mr. Holmes,? she said and her white-gloved bands clasped and
unclasped as she spoke "I win speak frankly to yon in the hopes
that It may Induce yon to speak frankly In return. There Is complete
confidence between my husband and me on all matters save one. That
one Is politics. On this his lips are sealed. Ha tells me nothing. Now,
I am aware there was a most deplorable occurrence In our home last
night I know that a paper has disappeared. But because the matter
is political my husband refuses to take me Into his "complete confi
dence. Now, It Is essential essential, I say hat I should thoroughly
understand it Ton are the only other person, save only these politicians,
who knyw the true facts. I beg you then, Mr. Holmes, to tell me ex
actly what has happened and what it will lead ta Tell me all. Mr.
Holmea. Let no regard for your client's interests keep you silent for
I assure you that his interests, if he would only see It would be best .
served by taking me Into his complete confidence. What was this
paper which waa stolen?"
"Madam, w hat you ask me is really Impossible."
She groaned and sank ber face in her hands.
"You must see that this Is so, madam. If your husband thinks fit to
keep you In the dark over this matter, ia it for me, who have only
learned the true facta under the pledge of professional secrecy, to
teH what he has withheld? It Is not fair to ask it It la him whoa
you must ask,"
"I have asked him. I coma to you aa a last resource. But without
yoa telling me anything definite. Mr. Holmes, you may do a great
service if you would enlighten ma on one point" - ' '
"What is It madam?"
"la my husband's political career likely to suffer through this Inci
dent?" -
"WeTL madam, unless It Is set right it may certainly have a
very unfortunate t-ffect" " " ."..,
"Ahr be drew in bar breath sharply aa one whoso doubts
are resolved.
'Xni more question, Mr. Holmes. From an expression
which my husband dropped in the first shock of this disaster
I understand that terrible public oousvequencea might arise
from the loss of this document"
"If he said so, I certainly cannot deny it"
-Of what nature are they?"
"Nay, madam, there again you ak-me more than I can
possibly answer."
"Then I will take up no more of your time. -1 cannot blamo .
you. Mr. Holmes, for baring refused to speak. more freely,
And you, on your side, will not I am sure, think the worse of
me because I desire, even against hi will, to share my bus
lnd s anxieties. Once more I U-g that you will say nothing
of my visit"
She looked back at us from the door, and I bad a last im
. presslon of that beautiful, haunted face, the startled eyes and
the drawn mouth. Then she was gone.
"Now, Wateon. the fair sex is your diartnient" said
Holmea, with a smile, when the dwindling frou-frou of skins
had ended in the slam of tbe front door. -What was the
fair lady's game? What did she really want?"
-Surely her own statement ia tb-ar and her anxiety very
natural. "
"Hum! Think of ber appearance, Watson-br msnner, ber
suppressed excitement, her restlesness, her tenacity la asking
qviesUou, Remember that she comes of a caste who do nut
lightiy show emotion."
-r be was certainly much moved"
-remember also the curious earnestness with which he as
sured ns that It was best for Ler hat. band that ahe should
know all What did the mean by that? And you must have