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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Our readers will remember that the deceased gentleman was found stabbed in his room, and that some suspicion attached to his valet, but that the case broke down on an alibi. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A discovery has just been made by the Parisian police (said the Daily Telegraph) which raises the veil which hung round the tragic fate of Mr. Eduardo Lucas, who met his death by violence last Monday night at Godolphin Street, Westminster.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I knew that he was in close touch with every development. Upon the fourth day there appeared a long telegram from Paris which seemed to solve the whole question. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

So for three mornings the mystery remained, so far as I could follow it in the papers. If Holmes knew more, he kept his own counsel, but, as he told me that Inspector Lestrade had taken him into his confidence in the case,

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

As to the housekeeper, she had heard nothing on the night of the crime. If her master had a visitor he had himself admitted him. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Mitton had been in Lucas’s employment for three years. It was noticeable that Lucas did not take Mitton on the Continent with him. Sometimes he visited Paris for three months on end, but Mitton was left in charge of the Godolphin Street house.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

had been found in the valet’s boxes, but he explained that they had been presents from the deceased, and the housekeeper was able to corroborate the story. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

He had actually arrived at twelve o’clock, and appeared to be overwhelmed by the unexpected tragedy. He had always been on good terms with his master. Several of the dead man’s possessions—notably a small case of razors—

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

but his own explanation that he had walked part of the way seemed probable enough in view of the fineness of the night. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The alibi was complete. It is true that he started home at an hour which should have brought him to Westminster before the time when the crime was discovered,

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

As to the arrest of John Mitton, the valet, it was a council of despair as an alternative to absolute inaction. But no case could be sustained against him. He had visited friends in Hammersmith that night.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

He had many acquaintances among them, but few friends, and no one whom he loved. His habits were regular, his conduct inoffensive. His death was an absolute mystery and likely to remain so. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

But nothing sensational was discovered among the documents which filled his drawers. As to his relations with women, they appeared to have been promiscuous but superficial.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

He had been on intimate terms with the leading politicians of several countries. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

They were carefully examined, and showed that he was a keen student of international politics, an indefatigable gossip, a remarkable linguist, and an untiring letter writer.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The coroner’s jury brought in the obvious Wilful Murder, but the parties remained as unknown as ever. No motive was suggested. The room was full of articles of value, but none had been taken. The dead man’s papers had not been tampered with.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

He would say nothing of the case, and it was from the papers that I learned the particulars of the inquest, and the arrest with the subsequent release of John Mitton, the valet of the deceased. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

devoured sandwiches at irregular hours, and hardly answered the casual questions which I put to him. It was evident to me that things were not going well with him or his quest.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

All that day and the next and the next Holmes was in a mood which his friends would call taciturn, and others morose. He ran out and ran in, smoked incessantly, played snatches on his violin, sank into reveries,

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

It is a capital mistake to theorize in advance of the facts. Do you stay on guard, my good Watson, and receive any fresh visitors. I’ll join you at lunch if I am able.” #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“You are off?” “Yes, I will while away the morning at Godolphin Street with our friends of the regular establishment. With Eduardo Lucas lies the solution of our problem, though I must admit that I have not an inkling as to what form it may take.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Their most trivial action may mean volumes, or their most extraordinary conduct may depend upon a hairpin or a curling tongs. Good-morning, Watson.” #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“And yet the motives of women are so inscrutable. You remember the woman at Margate whom I suspected for the same reason. No powder on her nose—that proved to be the correct solution. How can you build on such a quicksand?

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

She did not wish us to read her expression.” “Yes, she chose the one chair in the room.” #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“Remember also the curious earnestness with which she assured us that it was best for her husband that she should know all. What did she mean by that? And you must have observed, Watson, how she manœuvred to have the light at her back.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“Surely her own statement is clear and her anxiety very natural.” “Hum! Think of her appearance, Watson—her manner, her suppressed excitement, her restlessness, her tenacity in asking questions. Remember that she comes of a caste who do not lightly show emotion.”

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“Now, Watson, the fair sex is your department,” said Holmes, with a smile, when the dwindling frou-frou of skirts had ended in the slam of the front door. “What was the fair lady’s game? What did she really want?”

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Once more I beg that you will say nothing of my visit.” She looked back at us from the door, and I had a last impression of that beautiful haunted face, the startled eyes, and the drawn mouth. Then she was gone. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“Then I will take up no more of your time. I cannot blame you, Mr. Holmes, for having 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 his will, to share my husband’s anxieties.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“If he said so, I certainly cannot deny it.” “Of what nature are they?” “Nay, madam, there again you ask me more than I can possibly answer.” #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“One more question, Mr. Holmes. From an expression which my husband dropped in the first shock of this disaster I understood that terrible public consequences might arise from the loss of this document.”

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“Well, madam, unless it is set right it may certainly have a very unfortunate effect.” “Ah!” She drew in her breath sharply as one whose doubts are resolved. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“I have asked him. I come to you as a last resource. But without your telling me anything definite, Mr. Holmes, you may do a great service if you would enlighten me on one point.” “What is it, madam?” “Is my husband’s political career likely to suffer through this incident?”

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

If your husband thinks fit to keep you in the dark over this matter, is it for me, who has only learned the true facts under the pledge of professional secrecy, to tell what he has withheld?

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“Madam, what you ask me is really impossible.” She groaned and sank her face in her hands. “You must see that this is so, madam.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Tell me all, Mr. Holmes. 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.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Now it is essential—essential, I say—that I should thoroughly understand it. You are the only other person, save only these politicians, who knows the true facts. I beg you then, Mr. Holmes, to tell me exactly what has happened and what it will lead to.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Now, I am aware that there was a most deplorable occurrence in our house last night. I know that a paper has disappeared. But because the matter is political my husband refuses to take me into his complete confidence. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“I will speak frankly to you in the hopes that it may induce you 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. He tells me nothing.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

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 hands clasped and unclasped as she spoke—

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

“Your ladyship places me in a very delicate position. I beg that you will sit down and tell me what you desire, but I fear that I cannot make any unconditional promise.” #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

“Has my husband been here, Mr. Holmes?” “Yes, madam, he has been here.” “Mr. Holmes. I implore you not to tell him that I came here.” Holmes bowed coldly, and motioned the lady to a chair.

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

the sensitive mouth was tight and drawn in an effort after self-command. Terror—not beauty—was what sprang first to the eye as our fair visitor stood framed for an instant in the open door. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

And yet as we saw it that autumn morning, it was not its beauty which would be the first thing to impress the observer. The cheek was lovely but it was paled with emotion, the eyes were bright but it was the brightness of fever,

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

but no description of it, and no contemplation of colourless photographs, had prepared me for the subtle, delicate charm and the beautiful colouring of that exquisite head. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A moment later our modest apartment, already so distinguished that morning, was further honoured by the entrance of the most lovely woman in London. I had often heard of the beauty of the youngest daughter of the Duke of Belminster,

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Mr Sherlock Holmes @mrsherlockholmes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

“Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope if she will be kind enough to step up,” said he. #ArthurConanDoyle #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureoftheSecondStain

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