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, thoughI am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all mytime to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what doyou think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There wouldbe a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all thishappened within a few yards of your bed and that you heardnothing 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 faultif we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With yourpermission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigationsoutside."
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 feetheavy with 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 myrooms."
"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 can tomake 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 now made upabout the case, although what his conclusions were was more thanI could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homewardjourney I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he alwaysglided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over indespair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in ourrooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again ina few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turnedup, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, hewas 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 inthis matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but Ishall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a fewhours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard,sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting thisrude meal into his 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 hishand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to acup 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 belate."
"How are you getting on?"
"Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streathamsince I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is avery sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for agood deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must getthese disreputable clothes off and return to my highlyrespectable self."
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, soI retired 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 theother, as fresh and trim as possible.
"You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "butyou remember that our client has rather an early appointment thismorning."