“Now, Mr. Holder,” said Holmes, “here is the corner whichcorresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might Ibeg that you will break it off.”
The banker recoiled in horror. “I should not dream of trying,”
said he.
“Then I will.” Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, butwithout result. “I feel it give a little,” said he; “but, though I amexceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my timeto break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do youthink would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There wouldbe a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this happenedwithin a few yards of your bed and that you heard nothing of it?”
“I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me.”
“But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think,Miss Holder?”
“I confess that I still share my uncle’s perplexity.”
“Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?”
“He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt.”
“Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinaryluck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault if wedo not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your permission,Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations outside.”
He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that anyunnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For anhour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet heavywith snow and his features as inscrutable as ever.
“I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr.
Holder,” said he; “I can serve you best by returning to my rooms.”
“But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?”
“I cannot tell.”
The banker wrung his hands. “I shall never see them again!” hecried. “And my son? You give me hopes?”
“My opinion is in no way altered.”
“Then, for God’s sake, what was this dark business which wasacted in my house last night?”
“If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrowmorning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I canto make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche toact for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that youplace no limit on the sum I may draw.”
“I would give my fortune to have them back.”
“Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then.
Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over hereagain before evening.”
It was obvious to me that my companion’s mind was nowmade up about the case, although what his conclusions were wasmore than I could even dimly imagine. Several times during ourhomeward journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point,but he always glided away to some other topic, until at last I gaveit over in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves inour rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was downagain in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collarturned up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots,he was a perfect sample of the class.
“I think that this should do,” said he, glancing into the glassabove the fireplace. “I only wish that you could come with me,Watson, but I fear that it won’t do. I may be on the trail in thismatter, or I may be following a will-o’-the-wisp, but I shall soonknow which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hours.” Hecut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sandwichedit between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal intohis pocket he started off upon his expedition.
I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently inexcellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand. Hechucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea.
“I only looked in as I passed,” said he. “I am going right on.”
“Where to?”
“Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some timebefore I get back. Don’t wait up for me in case I should be late.”
“How are you getting on?”
“Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out toStreatham since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. Itis a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it fora good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must getthese disreputable clothes off and return to my highly respectableself.”
I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons forsatisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled,and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. Hehastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam ofthe hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon hiscongenial hunt.
I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Iretired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be awayfor days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so thathis lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour hecame in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning therehe was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the other,as fresh and trim as possible.
“You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson,” said he,“but you remember that our client has rather an early appointmentthis morning.”
“Why, it is after nine now,” I answered. “I should not besurprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring.”
It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by thechange which had come over him, for his face which was naturallyof a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in,while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He enteredwith a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful thanhis violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily intothe armchair which I pushed forward for him.
“I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried,” saidhe. “Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, withouta care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonouredage. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece,Mary, has deserted me.”
“Deserted you?”