CHAPTERI：THEASSOCIATEDSHADESTAKEACTION

TheHouse—boatoftheAssociatedShades，formerlylocatedupontheRiverStyx，asthereadermaypossiblyremember，hadbeentornfromitsmooringsandnavigatedoutintounknownseasbythatvengefulpirateCaptainKidd，aidedandabettedbysomeofthemostruffianlyinhabitantsofHades。Likeathiefinthenighthadtheycome，andfornobetterreasonthanthattheCaptainhadbeenunanimouslyvotedashadetooshadytoassociatewithself—respectingspiritshadtheymadeoffwiththehappyfloatingclub—houseoftheirbetters；andworstofall，withthem，byforceofcircumstancesoverwhichtheyhadnocontrol，hadsailedalsothefairQueenElizabeth，thespiritedXanthippe，andeveryotherstrong—mindedandbeautifulwomanofErebeansociety，wherebythementhereofwererendereddesolate。

"Ican’tstandit!"criedRaleigh，desperately，aswithhisaccustomedgracehepresidedoveraspecialmeetingoftheclub，calledonthebankoftheinkyStygianstream，atthepointwherethemissingboathadbeenmoored。"Thinkofit，gentlemen，ElizabethofEngland，CalpurniaofRome，OpheliaofDenmark，andeverypreciousjewelinoursocialdiademgone，vanishedcompletely；andwithwhom？

Kidd，ofallmenintheuniverse!Kidd，thepirate，theruffian——"

"Don’ttakeonso，mydearSirWalter，"saidSocrates，cheerfully。

"What’stheuseofgoingintohysterics？Youarenotawoman，andshouldeschewthatluxury。Xanthippeiswiththem，andI’llwarrantyouthatwhenthatcherishedspouseofminehasrecoveredfromtheeffectsofthesea，saythethirddayout，Kiddandhiscrewwillbewalkingtheplank，andvoluntarilyatthat。"

"ButtheHouse—boatitself，"murmuredNoah，sadly。"Thatwasmydelight。ItremindedmeinsomerespectsoftheArk。"

"Thelawofcompensationentersinthere，mydearCommodore，"

retortedSocrates。"Forme，withXanthippeabroadIdonotneedaclubtogoto；Icanstayathomeandtakemyhemlockinpeaceandstraight。Xanthippealwayscompelledmetodiluteitattherateofonequartofwatertothefinger。"

"Well，wedidn’tallmarryXanthippe，"putinCaesarfirmly，"thereforewearenotallsatisfiedwiththesituation。I，forone，quiteagreewithSirWalterthatsomethingmustbedone，andquickly。

Arewetosithereanddonothing，allowingthatfiendtokidnapourwiveswithimpunity？"

"Notatall，"interposedBonaparte。"Thetimeforactionhasarrived。Allthingsconsidered，heiswelcometoMarieLouise，buttheideaofJosephinegoingoffonacruiseofthatkindbreaksmyheart。"

"Noquestionaboutit，"observedDr。Johnson。"We’vegottodosomethingifitisonlyforthesakeofappearances。Thequestionreallyis，whatshallbedonefirst？"

"Iaminfavoroftakingadrinkasthefirststep，andconsideringthematteroffurtheractionafterwards，"suggestedShakespeare，anditwasthissuggestionthatmadethemembersunanimousuponthenecessityforimmediateaction，forwhentheassembledspiritscalledfortheirvariousfavoritebeveragesitwasfoundthattherewerenonetobehad，itbeingSunday，andalltheestablishmentswhereinliquidrefreshmentswerelicensedtobesoldbeingclosed——foratthetimeofwritingthelocalgovernmentofHadeswasinthehandsofthereformparty。

"What!"criedSocrates。"NothingbutStyxwaterandvitriol，Sundays？ThentheHouse—boatmustberecoveredwhetherXanthippecomeswithitornot。SirWalter，Iamforimmediateaction，afterall。Thisruffianshouldbecapturedatonceandmadeanexampleof。"

"Excuseme，Socrates，"putinLindleyMurray，"but，ah——prayspeakinGreekhereafter，willyou，please？WhenyouattemptEnglishyouhaveabeastlywayofworkinguptoclimaticprepositionswhichareoffensivetotheearofapurist。"

"Thisisnotimetodiscussstyle，Murray，"interposedSirWalter。

"SocratesmayspeakandspelllikeChaucerifhepleases；hemayevenparthisinfinitivesinthemiddle，forallIcare。Wehaveaffairsofgreatermomentinhand。"

"Wemustransacktheearth，"criedSocrates，"untilwefindthatboat。I’mdryasafish。"

"Therehegoesagain!"growledMurray。"Dryasafish!Whatfish，I’dliketoknow，isdry？"

"Redherrings，"retortedSocrates；andtherewasagreatlaughattheexpenseofthepurist，inwhichevenHamlet，whohadgrownmoreandmoremelancholyandmorbidsincetheabductionofOphelia，joined。

"Thenitissettled，"saidRaleigh；"somethingmustbedone。Andnowthepointis，what？"

"Reliefexpeditionshaveawayoffindingthings，"suggestedDr。

Livingstone。"Orratherofbeingfoundbythethingstheygoouttorelieve。Iproposethatwesendoutanumberofthem。IwilltakeAfrica；BonapartecanleadanexpeditionintoEurope；GeneralWashingtonmayhaveNorthAmerica；and——"

"Ibegpardon，"putinDr。Johnson，"buthaveyouanyidea，Dr。

Livingstone，thatCaptainKiddhasputwheelsonthisHouse—boatofours，andishavingitdraggedacrosstheSaharabymulesorcamels？"

"Nosuchabsurdideaeverenteredmyhead，"retortedtheDoctor。

"Doyou，then，believethathehasputrunnersonit，andisengagedinthepleasurablepastimeoftakingtheladiestobogganingdowntheAlps？"persistedthephilosopher。

"Notatall。Whydoyouask？"queriedtheAfricanexplorer，irritably。

"BecauseIwishtoknow，"saidJohnson。"Thatisalwaysmymotiveinaskingquestions。Youproposetogolookingforahouse—boatinCentralAfrica；yousuggestthatBonaparteleadanexpeditioninsearchofitthroughEurope——allofwhichstrikesmeasnonsense。

Thissearchistheworkofsea—dogs，notoflandlubbers。YoumightaswellaskConfuciustolookforitintheheartofChina。WhatearthlyusethereisinransackingtheearthIfailtosee。Whatweneedisanavelexpeditiontoscourthesea，unlessitisprettywellunderstoodinadvancethatwebelieveKiddhashauledtheboatoutofthewater，andisnowusingitforaroller—skatingrinkorabicycleacademyinOhio，orforsomeotherpurposeforwhichneitherhenoritwasdesigned。"

"Dr。Johnson’spointiswelltaken，"saidastrangerwhohadbeensittinguponthestring—pieceofthepier，quietly，butwithveryevidentinterest，listeningtothediscussion。Hewasatallandexcessivelyslendershade，"likeaspirtofsteamoutofateapot，"

asJohnsonputitafterwards，soslightheseemed。"Ihavenotthehonorofbeingamemberofthisassociation，"thestrangercontinued，"but，likeallwell—orderedshades，Iaspiretothedistinction，andIholdmyselfandmytalentsatthedisposalofthisclub。Ifancyitwillnottakeuslongtoestablishourinitialpoint，whichisthatthegrosspersonwhohassofoullyappropriatedyourpropertytohisownbaseusesdoesnotcontemplateremovingitfromitskeelandplacingitsomewhereinland。Alltheevidenceinhandpointstoaradicallydifferentconclusion，whichismysolereasonfordoubtingthevalueofthatconclusion。CaptainKiddisaseafarerbyinstinct，notalandsman。TheHouse—boatisnotahouse，butaboat；

thereforetheplacetolookforitisnot，asDr。Johnsonsowellsays，intheSaharaDesert，orontheAlps，orintheStateofOhio，butuponthehighsea，oruponthewaterfrontofsomeoneoftheworld’sgreatcities。"

"Andwhat，then，wouldbeyourplan？"askedSirWalter，impressedbythestranger’smanneraswellasbytheverymanifestreasoninallthathehadsaid。

"Thecharteringofasuitablevessel，fullyarmedandequippedforthepurposeofpursuit。AscertainwhithertheHouse—boathassailed，forwhatport，andstartatonce。HaveyouamodeloftheHouse—boatwithinreach？"returnedthestranger。

"Ithinknot；wehavethearchitect’splans，however，"saidthechairman。

"Wehad，Mr。Chairman，"saidDemosthenes，whowassecretaryoftheHouseCommittee，rising，"buttheyaregonewiththeHouse—boatitself。Theywerekeptinthesafeinthehold。"

Alookofannoyancecameintothefaceofthestranger。

"That’stoobad，"hesaid。"ItwasamostimportantpartofmyplanthatweshouldknowabouthowfasttheHouse—boatwas。"

"Humph!"ejaculatedSocrates，withill—concealedsarcasm。"Ifyou’lltakeXanthippe’swordforit，theHouse—boatwasthefastestyachtafloat。"

"Irefertothematterofspeedinsailing，"returnedthestranger，quietly。"Thequestionofitsethicalspeedhasnothingtodowithit。"

"Thedesignerofthecraftishere，"saidSirWalter，fixinghiseyesuponSirChristopherWren。"Itispossiblethathemaybeofassistanceinsettlingthatpoint。"

"Whathasallthisgottodowiththequestion，anyhow，Mr。

Chairman？"askedSolomon，risingimpatientlyandaddressingSirWalter。"Wearen’tpreparingforayacht—race，thatIknowof。

Nobody’safteracup，orachampionshipofanykind。Whatwedowantistogetourwivesback。TheCaptainhasn’ttakenmorethanhalfofminealongwithhim，butIaminterestednonetheless。TheQueenofShebaisonboard，andIamsomewhatinterestedinherfate。SoI

askyouwhatearthlyorunearthlyusethereisindiscussingthisquestionofspeedintheHouse—boat。Itstrikesmeasawofulwasteoftime，andratherunprecedentedtoo，thatweshouldsuspendallrulesandlistentothetalkofanentirestranger。"

"IdonotventuretodoubtthewisdomofSolomon，"saidJohnson，dryly，"butImustsaythatthegentleman’sremarksratherinterestme。"

"Ofcoursetheydo，"ejaculatedSolomon。"Heagreedwithyou。Thatoughttomakehiminterestingtoeverybody。Freaksusuallyare。"

"Thatisnotthereasonatall，"retortedDr。Johnson。"Coldwateragreeswithme，butitdoesn’tinterestme。WhatIdothink，however，isthatourunknownfriendseemstohaveagrasponthesituationbywhichweareconfronted，andhe’sgoingatthematterinhandinaverycomprehensivefashion。Imove，therefore，thatSolomonbelaidonthetable，andthattheprivilegesofthe——ah——ofthewharfbeextendedindefinitelytoourfriendonthestring—

piece。"

Themotion，havingbeenseconded，wasdulycarried，andthestrangerresumed。

"IwillexplainforthebenefitofhisMajestyKingSolomon，whosewisdomIhavealwaysadmired，andwhoseenduranceasthehusbandofthreehundredwiveshasfilledmewithwonder，"hesaid，"thatbeforestartinginpursuitofthestolenvesselwemustselectacraftofsomesortforthepurpose，andthatinselectingthepursueritisquiteessentialthatweshouldchooseavesselofgreaterspeedthantheonewedesiretoovertake。Itwouldhardlybeproper，Ithink，iftheHouse—boatcansailfourknotsanhourtoattempttooverhaulherwithalaunch，orothernauticalcraft，withamaximumspeedoftwoknotsanhour。"

"Hear!hear!"ejaculatedCaesar。

"Thatismyreason，yourMajesty，forinquiringastothespeedofyourlateclub—house，"saidthestranger，bowingcourteouslytoSolomon。"Now，ifSirChristopherWrencangivemehermeasurements，wecanverysoondetermineataboutwhatratesheisleavingusbehindunderfavorablecircumstances。"

"’Tisn’tnecessaryforSirChristophertodoanythingofthesort，"

saidNoah，risingandmanifestingsomewhatmoreheatthantheoccasionseemedtorequire。"AslongaswearediscussingthequestionIwilltakethelibertyofstatingwhatIhavenevermentionedbefore，thatthedesigneroftheHouse—boatmerelyappropriatedthelinesoftheArk。Shem，Ham，andJaphetwillbeartestimonytothetruthofthatstatement。"

"Therecanbenoquarrelonthatscore，Mr。Chairman，"assentedSirChristopher，withcuttingfrigidity。"Iamperfectlywillingtoadmitthatpracticallythetwovesselswerebuiltonthesamelines，butwithmodificationswhichwouldenablemyboattosailtwentymilestowindwardandbackinsixdays’lesstimethanitwouldhavetakentheArktocoverthesamedistance，anditcouldhavetakenallthewashoftheexcursionsteamersintothebargain。"

"Bosh!"ejaculatedNoah，angrily。"Stripyouroldtubdowntoaflyingballoon—jibandamarline—spike，andballasttheArkwithelephantsuntileveryinchofherreekedwithivoryandpeanuts，andshe’doutfootyouoneveryleg，inacycloneorazephyr。GivemetheArkandabreeze，andyourHouse—boatwouldn’tbewithinhailingdistanceofherfiveminutesafterthestartifshehad40，000squareyardsofcanvasspreadbeforeagale。"

"Thisdiscussioniswaxingveryunprofitable，"observedConfucius。

"Ifthesegentlemencannotbemadetoconfinethemselvestothesubjectthatisagitatingthisbody，Imovewecallintheauthoritiesandhavethemconfinedinthebottomlesspit。"

"Ididnotprecipitatethequarrel，"saidNoah。"Iwasmerelytryingtoassistourfriendonthestring—piece。IwasgoingtosaythatastheArkwasprobablyahundredtimesfasterthanSirChristopherWren’s——tub，whichhehimselfsayscantakecareofallthewashoftheexcursionboats，therebybecomingonhisownadmissionawash—

tub——"

"Order!order!"criedSirChristopher。

"Iwasgoingtosaythatthiswash—tubcouldbeoverhauledbyalaunchoranyothercraftwithaspeedofthirtyknotsamouth，"

continuedNoah，ignoringtheinterruption。

"TookhimfortydaystogettoMountArarat!"sneeredSirChristopher。

"Well，yourboatwouldhavegottheretwoweekssooner，I’lladmit，"

retortedNoah，"ifshe’dsprungaleakattherighttime。"

"GrantingthetruthofNoah’sstatement，"saidSirWalter，motioningtotheangryarchitecttobequiet——"notthatwetakeanysideintheissuebetweenthetwogentlemen，butmerelyforthesakeofargument—

—Iwishtoaskthestrangerwhohasbeengoodenoughtointeresthimselfinourtroublewhatheproposestodo——howcanyouestablishyourcourseincaseaboatwereprovided？"

"Alsovotvillbedhergost，ifany？"putinShylock。

Amurmurofdisapprobationgreetedthisremark。

"Thecostneednottroubleyou，sir，"saidSirWalter，indignantly，addressingthestranger；"youwillhavecarteblanche。"

"Denveareruint!"criedShylock，displayinghispalms，andshowingbythatactaselectassortmentofdiamondrings。

"Oh，"laughedthestranger，"thatisasimplematter。CaptainKiddhasgonetoLondon。"

"ToLondon!"criedseveralmembersatonce。"Howdoyouknowthat？"

"Bythis，"saidthestranger，holdingupthetinystubendofacigar。

"Tut—tut!"ejaculatedSolomon。"Whatchild’splayisthis!"

"No，yourMajesty，"observedthestranger，"itisnotchild’splay；

itisfact。ThatcigarendwasthrownasidehereonthewharfbyCaptainKiddjustbeforehesteppedonboardtheHouse—boat。"

"Howdoyouknowthat？"demandedRaleigh。"Andgrantingthetruthoftheassertion，whatdoesitprove？"

"Iwilltellyou，"saidthestranger。Andheatonceproceededasfollows。

CHAPTERII：THESTRANGERUNRAVELSAMYSTERYANDREVEALSHIMSELF

"Ihavemadeahobbyofthestudyofcigarends，"saidthestranger，astheAssociatedShadessettledbacktohearhisaccountofhimself。

"Frommyearliestyouth，whenIusedsurreptitiouslytoremovetheunsmokedendsofmyfather’scigarsandbreakthemup，and，inhiding，smoketheminanoldclaypipewhichIhadpresentedtomebyanancientsea—captainofmyacquaintance，Ihavebeeninterestedintobaccoinallforms，evenincludingtheseself—samedespisedunsmokedends；fortheyconveytomymindmessages，sentiments，farces，comedies，andtragedieswhichtoyourmindswouldneverbecomemanifestthroughtheiragency。"

Thecompanydrewclosertogetherandformedthemselvesinamorecompactmassaboutthespeaker。Itwasevidentthattheywerebeginningtofeelanunusualinterestinthisextraordinaryperson，whohadcomeamongthemunheraldedandunknown。EvenShylockstoppedcalculatingpercentagesforaninstanttolisten。

"Doyoumeantotellus，"demandedShakespeare，"thattheunsmokedstubofacigarwillsuggestthestoryofhimwhosmokedittoyourmind？"

"Ido，"repliedthestranger，withaconfidentsmile。"Takethisone，forinstance，thatIhavepickeduphereuponthewharf；ittellsmethewholestoryoftheintentionsofCaptainKiddatthemomentwhen，inutterdisregardofyourrights，hesteppedaboardyourHouse—boat，and，inhisusualpiraticalfashion，madeoffwithitintounknownseas。"

"Buthowdoyouknowhesmokedit？"askedSolomon，whodeemeditthepartofwisdomtobesuspiciousofthestranger。

"Therearetwocuriousindentationsinitwhichprovethat。Themarksoftwoteeth，withahiatusbetween，whichyouwillseeifyoulookclosely，"saidthestranger，handingthesmallbitoftobaccotoSirWalter，"makethatpointevidentbeyondperadventure。TheCaptainlostaneye—toothinoneofhislaterraids；itwasknockedoutbyamarine—spikewhichhadbeenhurledathimbyoneofthecrewofthetreasure—shipheandhisfollowershadattacked。Theadjacentteethwerebroken，butnotremoved。Thecigarendbearsthemarksofthosetwojaggedmolars，withthehiatus，which，asIhaveindicated，isduetothedestructionoftheeye—toothbetweenthem。Itisnotlikelythattherewasanothermaninthepirate’screwwithteethexactlylikethecommander’s，thereforeIsaytherecanbenodoubtthatthecigarendwasthatoftheCaptainhimself。"

"Veryinterestingindeed，"observedBlackstone，removinghiswigandfanninghimselfwithit；"butImustconfess，Mr。Chairman，thatinanyproperlyconstitutedlawcourtthisevidencewouldlongsincehavebeenruledoutasirrelevantandabsurd。Theideaoftwoorthreehundreddignifiedspiritslikeourselves，gatheredtogethertodeviseameansfortherecoveryofourpropertyandtherescueofourwives，yieldingthefloortothedeliveringofalecturebyanentirestrangeron’CigarEndsHeHasMet，’strikesmeasridiculousintheextreme。OfwhatearthlyinterestisittoustoknowthatthisorthatcigarwassmokedbyCaptainKidd？"

"Merelythatitwillhelpuson，yourhonor，todiscoverthewhereaboutsofthesaidKidd，"interposedthestranger。"Itisbytrifles，seemingtrifles，thatthegreatestdetectiveworkisdone。

MyfriendsLeCoq，Hawkshaw，andOldSleuthwillbearmeoutinthis，Ithink，howevermuchinotherrespectsourmethodsmayhavediffered。Theyleftnostoneunturnedinthepursuitofacriminal；

nodetail，howevertrifling，uncaredfor。Nomoreshouldweinthepresentinstanceoverlooktheminutestbitofevidence，howeverirrelevantandabsurdatfirstblushitmayappeartobe。ThetruthofwhatIsaywasveryeffectuallyproveninthestrangecaseoftheBrokedaletiara，inwhichIfiguredsomewhatconspicuously，butwhichhavenevermadepublic，becauseitinvolvesasecretaffectingtheintegrityofoneofthenoblestfamiliesintheBritishEmpire。I

reallybelievethatmysterywassolvedeasilyandatoncebecauseI

happenedtorememberthatthenumberofmywatchwas86507B。Howtrivialandyethowimportantitwas，towhatthentranspired，youwillrealizewhenItellyoutheincident。"

Thestranger’smannerwassoimpressivethattherewasaunanimousandsimultaneousmovementuponthepartofallpresenttogetupcloser，soasthemorereadilytohearwhathesaid，asaresultofwhichpooroldBoswellwaspushedoverboard，andfell，withaloudsplashintotheStyx。Fortunately，however，oneofCharon’spleasure—boatswascloseathand，andinashortwhilethedripping，sputteringspiritwasdrawnintoit，wrungout，andsenthometodry。

Theexcitementattendingthisdiversionhavingsubsided，Solomonasked：

"Whatwastheincidentofthelosttiara？"

"Iamabouttotellyou，"returnedthestranger；"anditmustbeunderstoodthatyouaretoldinthestrictestconfidence，for，asI

say，theincidentinvolvesastatesecretofgreatmagnitude。Inlife——inthemortallife——gentlemen，Iwasadetectivebyprofession，and，ifIdosayit，whoperhapsshouldnot，Iwasoneofthemostinterestingforpurelyliterarypurposesthathaseverbeenknown。I

didnotfinditnecessarytogoaboutsaying’Ha!ha!’asM。LeCoqwasaccustomedtodotoadvertisehiscleverness；neitherdidI

disguisemyselfasadrum—majorandhideunderakitchen—tableforthepurposeofsolvingamysteryinvolvingtheabductionofaparlorstove，afterthemannerofthetalentedHawkshaw。Bymentalconcentrationalone，withoutfireworksororchestralaccompanimentofanysortwhatsoever，didIgoaboutmybusiness，andforthatveryreasonmanyofmyfellow—sleuthswereforcedtogooutofrealdetectiveworkintothatlineofthebusinesswithwhichthestagehasfamiliarizedthemostofus——alineinwhichnothingbutstupidity，luck，andayellowwigisrequiredofhimwhopursuesit。"

"Thismanisanimpostor，"whisperedLeCoqtoHawkshaw。

"I’veknownthatallalongbythemoleonhisleftwrist，"returnedHawkshaw，contemptuously。

"IsuspectedittheminuteIsawhewasnotdisguised，"returnedLeCoq，knowingly。"Ihaveobservedthatthegreatestvillainslatterlyhavediscardeddisguises，asbeingtooeasilypenetrated，andthereforeofnoavail，andmerelyauselessexpense。"

"Silence!"criedConfucius，impatiently。"Howcanthegentlemanproceed，withallthisconversationgoingonintherear？"

HawkshawandLeCoqimmediatelysubsided，andthestrangerwenton。

"ItwasinthiswaythatItreatedthestrangecaseofthelosttiara，"resumedthestranger。"Mentalconcentrationuponseeminglyinsignificantdetailsaloneenabledmetobringaboutthedesiredresultsinthatinstance。Abriefoutlineofthecaseisasfollows：

Itwaslateoneeveningintheearlyspringof1894。TheLondonseasonwasatitsheight。Dances，fetesofallkinds，opera，andthetheatreswereinfullblast，whenallofasuddensocietywasparalyzedbyamostaudaciousrobbery。Adiamondtiaravaluedat50，000poundssterlinghadbeenstolenfromtheDuchessofBrokedale，andundercircumstanceswhichthrewsocietyitselfandeveryindividualinitundersuspicion——evenhisRoyalHighnessthePrincehimself，forhehaddancedfrequentlywiththeDuchess，andwasknowntobeagreatadmirerofhertiara。Itwasathalf—pasteleveno’clockatnightthatthenewsoftherobberyfirstcametomyears。

Ihadbeenspendingtheeveningaloneinmylibrarymakingnotesforasecondvolumeofmymemoirs，and，feelingsomewhatdepressed，IwasonthepointofgoingoutformyusualmidnightwalkonHampsteadHeath，whenoneofmyservants，hastilyentering，informedmeoftherobbery。Ichangedmymindinrespecttomymidnightwalkimmediatelyuponreceiptofthenews，forIknewthatbeforeoneo’clocksomeonewouldcalluponmeatmylodgingswithreferencetothisrobbery。Itcouldnotbeotherwise。Anymysteryofsuchmagnitudecouldnomorebetakentoanotherbureauthanelephantscouldfly——"

"Theyusedto，"saidAdam。"Ioncehadawholeaviaryfullofwingedelephants。Theyflewfromflowertoflower，andthrustingtheirprobabilitiesdeepinto——"

"Theirwhat？"queriedJohnson，withafrown。

"Probabilities——isn’tthattheword？Theirtrunks，"saidAdam。

"Probosces，Iimagineyoumean，"suggestedJohnson。

"Yes——thatwasit。Theirprobosces，"saidAdam。"Theyweregreathoney—gatherers，thoseelephants——farbetterthanthebees，becausetheycouldmakesomuchmoreofitinagiventime。"

Munchausenshookhisheadsadly。"I’mafraidI’moutclassedbytheseantediluvians，"hesaid。

"Gentlemen!gentlemen!"criedSirWalter。"Theseinterruptionsareinexcusable!"

"That’swhatIthink，"saidthestranger，withsomeasperity。"I’mhavingaboutashardatimegettingthisstoryoutasIwouldifitwereaserial。Ofcourse，ifyougentlemendonotwishtohearit，I

canstop；butitmustbeunderstoodthatwhenIdostopIstopfinally，onceandforall，becausethetalehasnotasufficiencyofdramaticclimaxestowarrantitsprolongationovertheusualmagazineperiodoftwelvemonths。"

"Goon!goon!"criedsome。

"Shutup!"criedothers——addressingtheinterruptingmembers，ofcourse。

"AsIwassaying，"resumedthestranger，"Ifeltconfidentthatwithinanhour，insomewayorother，thatcasewouldbeplacedinmyhands。Itwouldbemineeitherpositivelyornegatively——thatistosay，eitherthepersonrobbedwouldemploymetoferretoutthemysteryandrecoverthediamonds，ortherobberhimself，actuatedbymotivesofself—preservation，wouldendeavortodirectmyenergiesintootherchannelsuntilheshouldhavethetimetodisposeofhisill—gottenbooty。Amentaldiscussionoftheprobabilitiesinclinedmetobelievethatthelatterwouldbethecase。Ireasonedinthisfashion：Thepersonrobbedisofexaltedrank。Shecannotmoverapidlybecausesheisso。Greatbodiesmoveslowly。Itisprobablethatitwillbeaweekbefore，accordingtotheetiquettebywhichsheishedgedabout，shecancommunicatewithme。Inthefirstplace，shemustinformoneofherattendantsthatshehasbeenrobbed。Hemustcommunicatethenewstothefunctionaryinchargeofherresidence，whowillcommunicatewiththeHomeSecretary，andfromhimwillissuetheorderstothepolice，who，baffledateverystep，willfinallyaddressthemselvestome。’I’llgivethatsidetwoweeks，’Isaid。Ontheotherhand，therobber：willheallowhimselftobelulledintoafalsesenseofsecuritybycountingonthisdelay，orwillhenot，notingmyhabitofoccasionallyenteringupondetectiveenterprisesofthisnatureofmyownvolition，cometomeatonceandsetmetoworkferretingoutsomecrimethathasneverbeencommitted？Myfeelingwasthatthiswouldhappen，andIpulledoutmywatchtoseeifitwerenotnearlytimeforhimtoarrive。

TherobberyhadtakenplaceatastateballattheBuckinghamPalace。

’H’m!’Imused。’Hehashadanhourandfortyminutestogethere。

Itisnowtwelve—twenty。Heshouldbeherebytwelve—forty—five。I

willwait。’Andhastilyswallowingacocainetablettonervemyselfupforthemeeting，IsatdownandbegantoreadmySchopenhauer。

HardlyhadIperusedapagewhentherecameatapuponmydoor。I

rosewithasmile，forIthoughtIknewwhatwastohappen，openedthedoor，andtherestood，muchtomysurprise，thehusbandoftheladywhosetiarawasmissing。ItwastheDukeofBrokedalehimself。

Itistruehewasdisguised。Hisbeardwaspowdereduntilitlookedlikesnow，andheworeawigandapairofgreengoggles；butI

recognizedhimatoncebyhislackofmanners，whichisanunmistakablesignofnobility。AsIopenedthedoor，hebegan：

"’YouareMr。——’

"’Iam，’Ireplied。’Comein。Youhavecometoseemeaboutyourstolenwatch。Itisagoldhunting—casewatchwithaSwissmovement；

losesfiveminutesaday；stem—winder；andthebackcover，whichdoesnotbearanyinscription，hasuponittheindentationsmadebythemolarsofyoursonWilliewhenthatinterestingyouthwascuttinghisteethuponit。’"

"Wonderful!"criedJohnson。

"MayIaskhowyouknewallthat？"askedSolomon，deeplyimpressed。

"Suchpenetrationstrikesmeasmarvellous。"

"Ididn’tknowit，"repliedthestranger，withasmile。"WhatIsaidwasintendedtobejocular，andtoputBrokedaleathisease。TheAmericanspresent，withtheirusualastuteness，wouldtermitbluff。

Itwas。Imerelyrattledon。IsimplydidnotwishtooffendthegentlemanbylettinghimknowthatIhadpenetratedhisdisguise。

Imaginemysurprise，however，whenhiseyebrightenedasIspoke，andheenteredmyroomwithsuchalacritythathalfthepowderwhichhethoughtdisguisedhisbeardwasshakenoffontothefloor。SittingdowninthechairIhadjustvacated，hequietlyremarked：

"’Youareawonderfulman，sir。HowdidyouknowthatIhadlostmywatch？’

"ForamomentIwasnonplussed；morethanthat，Iwascompletelystaggered。Ihadexpectedhimtosayatoncethathehadnotlosthiswatch，buthadcometoseemeaboutthetiara；andtohavehimtakemywordsseriouslywasentirelyunexpectedandoverwhelminglysurprising。However，inviewofhisrank，Ideemeditwelltofallinwithhishumour。’Oh，asforthat，’Ireplied，’thatisapartofmybusiness。Itisthedetective’splacetoknoweverything；andgenerally，ifherevealsthemachinerybymeansofwhichhereacheshisconclusions，heisafool，sincehismethodishissecret，andhissecrethisstock—in—trade。Idonotmindtellingyou，however，thatIknewyourwatchwasstolenbyyouranxiousglanceatmyclock，whichshowedthatyouwishedtoknowthetime。NowmostrichAmericanshavewatchesforthatpurpose，andhavenohesitationaboutshowingthem。Ifyou’dhadawatch，you’dhavelookedatit，notatmyclock。’

"Myvisitorlaughed，andrepeatedwhathehadsaidaboutmybeingawonderfulman。

"’Andthedentswhichmysonmadecuttinghisteeth？’headded。

"’InvariablygowithanAmerican’swatch。Rubberorivoryringsaren’tgoodenoughforAmericanbabiestochewon，’saidI。’Theymusthavegoldwatchesornothing。’

"’Andfinally，howdidyouknowIwasarichAmerican？’heasked。

"’BecausenoothercanaffordtostopathotelsliketheSavoyintheheightoftheseason，’Ireplied，thinkingthatthejestwouldendthere，andthathewouldnowrevealhisidentityandspeakofthetiara。Tomysurprise，however，hedidnothingofthesort。

"’Youhaveanalmostsupernaturalgift，’hesaid。’MynameisBunker。IamstoppingattheSavoy。IAManAmerican。IWASrichwhenIarrivedhere，butI’mnotquitesobloatedwithwealthasI

was，nowthatIhavepaidmyfirstweek’sbill。IHAVElostmywatch；suchawatch，too，asyoudescribe，eventothedents。YouronlymistakewasthatthedentsweremadebymysonJohn，andnotWillie；buteventhereIcannotbutwonderatyou，forJohnandWilliearetwins，andsomuchalikethatitsometimesbaffleseventheirmothertotellthemapart。Thewatchhasnoverygreatvalueintrinsically，buttheassociationsaresuchthatIwantitback，andIwillpay200poundsforitsrecovery。Ihavenoclewastowhotookit。Itwasnumbered——’

"Hereahappythoughtstruckme。InallmydescriptionofthewatchIhadmerelydescribedmyown，averycheapaffairwhichIhadwonataraffle。Myvisitorwasdeceivingme，thoughforwhatpurposeIdidnotontheinstantdivine。Noonewouldliketosuspecthimofhavingpurloinedhiswife’stiara。WhyshouldInotdeceivehim，andatthesametimegetridofmypoorchronometerforasumthatexceededitsvalueahundredfold？"

"Goodbusiness!"criedShylock。

Thestrangersmiledandbowed。

"Excellent，"hesaid。"Itookthewordsrightoutofhismouth。’Itwasnumbered86507B!’Icried，giving，ofcourse，thenumberofmyownwatch。

"Hegazedatmenarrowlyforamoment，andthenhesmiled。’Yougrowmoremarvellousateverystep。Thatwasindeedthenumber。Areyouademon？’

"’No，’Ireplied。’Onlysomethingofamind—reader。’

"Well，tobebrief，thebargainwasstruck。IwastolookforawatchthatIknewhehadn’tlost，andwastoreceive200poundsifI

foundit。Itseemedtohimtobeaverygoodbargain，as，indeed，itwas，fromhispointofview，feeling，ashedid，thatthereneverhavingbeenanysuchwatch，itcouldnotberecovered，andlittlesuspectingthattwocouldplayathislittlegameofdeception，andthatunderanycircumstancesIcouldfoistaten—shillingwatchuponhimfortwohundredpounds。Thisbusinessconcluded，hestartedtogo。

"’Won’tyouhavealittleScotch？’Iasked，ashestarted，feeling，withallthatprospectiveprofitinview，Icouldwellaffordtheexpense。’Itisastormynight。’

"’Thanks，Iwill，’saidhe，returningandseatinghimselfbymytable——still，tomysurprise，keepinghishaton。

"’Letmetakeyourhat，’Isaid，littlethinkingthatmycourtesywouldrevealthetruestateofaffairs。Themerementionofthewordhatbroughtaboutaterriblechangeinmyvisitor；hiskneestrembled，hisfacegrewghastly，andheclutchedthebrimofhisbeaveruntilitcracked。Hethennervouslyremovedit，andInoticedadullredmarkrunningabouthisforehead，justastherewouldbeontheforeheadofamanwhosehatfittedtootightly；andthatmark，gentlemen，hadtheundulatingoutlineofnothingmorenorlessthanatiara，andontheapexoftheuttermostextremitywasadeepindentationaboutthesizeofashilling，thatcouldhavebeenmadeonlybysomeadamantinesubstance!Themysterywassolved!TherobberoftheDuchessofBrokedalestoodbeforeme。"

Asuppressedmurmurofexcitementwentthroughtheassembledspirits，andevenMessrs。HawkshawandLeCoqweresilentinthepresenceofsuchgenius。

"Myplanofactionwasimmediatelyformulated。Themanwascompletelyatmymercy。Hehadstolenthetiara，andhaditconcealedintheliningofhishat。Iroseandlockedthedoor。Myvisitorsankwithagroanintomychair。

"’Whydidyoudothat？’hestammered，asIturnedthekeyinthelock。

"’TokeepmyScotchwhiskeyfromevaporating，’Isaid，dryly。’Now，mylord，’Iadded，’itwillpayyourGracetoletmehaveyourhat。

Iknowwhoyouare。YouaretheDukeofBrokedale。TheDuchessofBrokedalehaslostavaluabletiaraofdiamonds，andyouhavenotlostyourwatch。Somebodyhasstolenthediamonds，anditmaybethatsomewherethereisaBunkerwhohaslostsuchawatchasIhavedescribed。Thequeerpartofitallis，’Icontinued，handinghimthedecanter，andtakingacoupleofloadedsix—shootersoutofmyescritoire——’thequeerpartofitallisthatIhavethewatchandyouhavethetiara。We’llswaptheswag。Handoverthebauble，please。’

"’But——’hebegan。

"’Wewon’thaveanybutting，yourGrace，’saidI。’I’llgiveyouthewatch，andyouneedn’tmindthe200pounds；andyoumustgivemethetiara，orI’llaccompanyyouforthwithtothepolice，andhaveasearchmadeofyourhat。Itwon’tpayyoutodefyme。Giveitup。’

"Hegaveupthehatatonce，and，asIsuspected，therelaythetiara，snuglystowedawaybehindthehead—band。

"’Youareagreatfellow，’saidI，asIheldthetiarauptothelightandwatchedwithpleasuretheflashingbrillianceofitsgems。

"’Ibegyou’llnotexposeme，’hemoaned。’Iwasdriventoitbynecessity。’

"’NotI，’Ireplied。’Aslongasyouplayfairitwillbeallright。

I’mnotgoingtokeepthisthing。I’mnotmarried，andsohavenouseforsuchatrifle；butwhatIdointendissimplytowaituntilyourwiferetainsmetofindit，andthenI’llfinditandgetthereward。Ifyoukeepperfectlystill，I’llhaveitfoundinsuchafashionthatyou’llneverbesuspected。If，ontheotherhand，yousayawordaboutto—night’sevents，I’llhandyouovertothepolice。’

"’Humph!’hesaid。’Youcouldn’tproveacaseagainstme。’

"’Icanproveanycaseagainstanybody，’Iretorted。’Ifyoudon’tbelieveit，readmybook，’Iadded，andIhandedhimacopyofmymemoirs。

"’I’vereadit，’heanswered，’andIoughttohaveknownbetterthantocomehere。Ithoughtyouwereonlyaliterarysuccess。’Andwithadeep—drawnsighhetookthewatchandwentout。TendayslaterI

wasretainedbytheDuchess，andafterapretendedsearchoftendaysmoreIfoundthetiara，restoredittothenoblelady，andreceivedthe5000poundsreward。TheDukekeptperfectlyquietaboutourlittleencounter，andafterwardswebecamestanchfriends；forhewasagoodfellow，andwasdriventohisdesperatedeedonlybythedemandsofhiscreditors，andthefollowingChristmashesentmethewatchIhadgivenhim，withthebestwishesoftheseason。

"So，yousee，gentlemen，inamoment，byquickwitandamentalconcentrationofnomeanorder，combinedwithstrictobservanceofthepettiestdetails，Iferretedoutwhatbadefairtobecomeagreatdiamondmystery；andwhenIsaythatthiscigarendprovescertainthingstomymind，itdoesnotbecomeyoutodoubtthevalueofmyconclusions。"

"Hear!hear!"criedRaleigh，growingtumultuouswithenthusiasm。

"Yourname？yourname？"camefromallpartsofthewharf。

Thestranger，puttinghishandintothefoldsofhiscoat，drewforthabundleofbusinesscards，whichhetossed，astheprestidigitatortossesplaying—cards，outamongtheaudience，andoneachofthemwasfoundprintedthewords：

SHERLOCKHOLMES，DETECTIVE。

FERRETINGDONEHERE。

PlotsforSale。

"Ithinkhemadeamistakeinnottakingthe200poundsforthewatch。Suchcarelessnessdestroysmyconfidenceinhim，"saidShylock，whowasthefirsttorecoverfromthesurpriseoftherevelation。

CHAPTERIII：THESEARCH—PARTYISORGANIZED

"Well，Mr。Holmes，"saidSirWalterRaleigh，afterthreerousingcheers，ledbyHamlet，hadbeengivenwithawillbytheassembledspirits，"afterthisdemonstrationinyourhonorIthinkitishardlynecessaryformetoassureyouofourheartyco—operationinanythingyoumayventuretosuggest。Thereisstillmanifest，however，somedesireonthepartoftheever—wiseKingSolomonandmyfriendConfuciustoknowhowyoudeducethatKiddhassailedforLondon，fromthecigarendwhichyouholdinyourhand。"

"Icaneasilysatisfytheircuriosity，"saidSherlockHolmes，genially。"IbelieveIhavealreadyproventhatitistheendofKidd’scigar。Themarksoftheteethhaveshownthat。Nowobservehowcloselyitissmoked——thereisbarelyenoughofitleftforonetoinsertbetweenhisteeth。NowCaptainKiddwouldhardlyhaveriskedtheedgesofhismustacheandthecomfortofhislipsbysmokingacigardowntotheverylightifhehadhadanother；norwouldheunderanycircumstanceshavesmokeditthatfarunlesshewerepassionatelyaddictedtothisparticularbrandoftheweed。

ThereforeIsaytoyou，first，thiswashiscigar；second，itwasthelastonehehad；third，heisaconfirmedsmoker。Theresult，hehasgonetotheoneplaceintheworldwheretheseConnecticuthand—

rolledHavanacigars——forIrecognizethisasoneofthem——havearealpopularity，andarethereforemorecertainlyobtainable，andthatisatLondon。YoucannotgetsovileacigarasthatoutsideofaLondonhotel。IfIcouldhaveseenaquarter—inchmoreofit，I

shouldhavebeenabledefinitelytolocatethehotelitself。Thewrappersunrolltoadegreethatvariesperceptiblyasbetweenthedifferenthotels。TheFortunacigarcanbesmokedaquarterthroughbeforeitswrappergivesway；theFelixwrappergoesassoonasyoulightthecigar；whereastheRiver，frontingontheThames，issurroundedbyamoisteratmospherethantheothers，and，asaconsequence，thewrapperwillholdreallyuntilmostpeoplearewillingtothrowthewholethingaway。"

"Itisreallyawonderfulart!"saidSolomon。

"ThemakingofaConnecticutHavanacigar？"laughedHolmes。"Notatall。Givemeaheadoflettuceandastraw，andI’llmakeyouabox。"

"Ireferredtoyourart——thatofdetection，"saidSolomon。"Yourlogicisperfect；stepbystepwehavebeenledtotheirresistibleconclusionthatKiddhasmadeforLondon，andcanbefoundatoneofthesehotels。"

"AndonlyuntilnextTuesday，whenhewilltakeahouseintheneighborhoodofScotlandYard，"putinHolmes，quickly，observingasneeronHawkshaw’slips，andhasteningtooverwhelmhimbyfurtherevidenceofhisingenuity。"Whenhegetshisbillhewillopenhispiraticaleyessowidethathewillbeseizedwithjealousytothinkofhowmuchmorerefinedhisprofessionhasbecomesinceheleftit，andoutofmerepiquehewillleavethehotel，and，toshowhimselfstillclevererthanhismodernprototypes，hewillleavehisaccountunpaid，withtheresultthattheaffairwillbeputinthehandsofthepolice，underwhichcircumstancesahouseintheimmediatevicinityofthefamouspoliceheadquarterswillbethesafesthiding—

placehecanfind，aswasinstancedbytheremarkablecaseofthefamousPenstockbondrobbery。AcertainchurchwardennamedHinkley，havingbeenappointedcashierthereof，robbedthePenstockImperialBankof1，000，000poundsinbonds，and，fleeingtoLondon，actuallyjoinedthedetectiveforceatScotlandYard，andwasdetailedtofindhimself，whichofcourseheneverdid，norwouldheeverhavebeenfoundhadhenotcrossedmypath。"

Hawkshawgazedmournfullyoffintospace，andLeCoqmutteredprofanewordsunderhisbreath。

"We’renotinthesameclasswiththisfellow，Hawkshaw，"saidLeCoq。"Youcouldtapyourforeheadknowinglyeighthoursadaythroughalleternitywithasledge—hammerwithoutlooseninganidealikethat。"

"NeverthelessI’llconfoundhimyet，"growledthejealousdetective。

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