There would be such a ferment, sir, that I do not hesitate to say that within a week of the publication of that letter this country would be involved in a great war.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

I may appeal to your patriotism also, for I could not imagine a greater misfortune for the country than that this affair should come out.”

“You may safely trust us.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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 to expect you to act unless we give you our entire confidence.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

I regret exceedingly that I cannot help you in this matter, and any continuation of this interview would be a waste of time.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

If by the aid of the powers which you are said to possess you can find such an envelope as I describe with its enclosure, you will have deserved well of your country, and earned any reward which it lies in our power to bestow.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

“Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a long, thin one of pale blue colour. There is a seal of red wax stamped with a crouching lion. It is addressed in large, bold handwriting to——”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

“But abroad?”

“I believe that no one abroad has seen it save the man who wrote it. I am well convinced that his Ministers—that the usual official channels have not been employed.”

Holmes considered for some little time.

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

“Besides the members of the Cabinet there are two, or possibly three, departmental officials who know of the letter. No one else in England, Mr. Holmes, I assure you.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

“Have you lost any documents before?”

“No, sir.”

“Who is there in England who did know of the existence of this letter?”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

“I have long known, sir, how high is your sense of public duty,” said he. “I am convinced that in the case of a secret of this importance it would rise superior to the most intimate domestic ties.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

Besides, neither of them could possibly have known that there was anything more valuable than the ordinary departmental papers in my despatch-box.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

We are both prepared to swear that no one could have entered the room during the night. And yet I repeat that the paper is gone.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

but have taken it across each evening to my house in Whitehall Terrace, and kept it in my bedroom in a locked despatch-box. It was there last night. Of that I am certain.

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

“I understand. Now, Mr. Trelawney Hope, I should be much obliged if you would tell me exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

Unless its recovery can be attended with the utmost secrecy, then it may as well not be recovered at all, for all that is aimed at by those who have taken it is that its contents should be generally known.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

To inform the police must, in the long run, mean to inform the public. This is what we particularly desire to avoid.”

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

The European Secretary pulled nervously at his moustache and fidgeted with the seals of his watch-chain.

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

They sat side by 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.

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

The one, austere, high-nosed, eagle-eyed, and dominant, was none other than the illustrious Lord Bellinger, twice Premier of Britain.

#ArthurConanDoyle
#SherlockHolmes
#TheAdventureoftheSecondStain