The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-28

"He stood said Holmes, ito the left
of the door-that is to say. further IN
the path than is necessary to reach the
door?"
And he is a man with a wooden
Something like fear sprang up in the
young lady's expressive black ewes
Why. you are like magician said
she. How do you know ?" She smiled
but there was no answering smile in
Holmes thin, eager face.
Il should be very glad now to 90 up-
stairs, " said he. Il shall probably wish
to go over the outside of the house
again Perhaps I had better take a
look at the lower windows before I go
up"
He walked swiftly around from one
! to the other pausing only at the large
one which looked from the hall onto
/ the stable lane. This he opened. and
made a very careful examination of
the sill with his powerful magnffying
| lens. Nov, we shall go upstairs. "
The bankers dressing room was a
plainly furnished little chamber, with a
gray carpet, a large bureau and a long
mirror. Holmes went to the bureau
! first and looked hard at the lock.
(Which key was used to open it 81
he asked.
ssThat which my son himself indicat-
ed-that Of the cupboard of the Ium-
ber-roOm.
Have you it here?''
"That is it on the dressing table"
Sherlock Holmes took it up and
opened the bureau.
1T is a noiseless lock, said he cit
is no wonder that it did not wake YOU.
This case, I presume. contains the cor
Onet. We must have d look at it." He
opened the case. and taking out the
diadem, laid it upon the table. It was
a magnificent specimen of the Jewell
-5~
the finest that I have ever seen. At one
side of the eorOnet was a cracked edge,
where a corner holding three gems had
been torn away.
Now, Mr.. Holder said, Holiness
! here is the corner which corresponds
to that which has been so unfortunate
" lost. Might beg that you viii break
it OFF,"
The banker reeoiled in horror "I
should not dream OF trying, he said.
Then ] will Holmes suddenly
bent his strength upon it but without
result. 'sI feel it give a little" said he;
( "but. though I am exceptionally strong
i'm the fingers. it would take me all nay
time to break it. An ordinary man
could not do it. Now. what do you
think would happen if [ did break it.
Mr.. Holder? There would be g noise
like a pistol-shot. Do you tell me that
all this happened within a few yards
of your bed and that you heard Moth
ing of it,"
Il do not know what to think. It is
all dark to me-
But perhaps it may grow lighter as
we ge, 60. What do you think. Miss Hol-
Il confess that I still share my I'M
cIe's perplexty.
Your son had no shoes or slippers
on when you saw him p
Gle had nothing on save only his
trousers and shirt.
THANK you. We have certainly been
favored with extraordinary luck dur
ing this inquiry and it win be entirely
our own fault if we do not succeed in
clearing the matter up With your per-
mission. Mr. Holder, 1 shall now con-
tinue my Investigations outside
He went alone, at his own request,
for he explained that any unnecessary
foOtmarks might make his task more
difficult For an hour or more he was
at work, returning at last with his feet
heavy with snow and his features as
inscrutable as ever.
II think that have seen now all that
there is to see, Mr.. Holder, said he;
Il can serve you best by returning to
my rooms"
But the gems. Mr.. Holmes. Where
are they2"
81 cannot tell"
The banker wrung his hands. 'I
shall never see them again!" he cried.
I And my SOM You give me hopes -
My opinion is in no way altered. -
Ihen, Tor God sake, what was this
dark business which was acted in my
| house last night2"
IF you can call upon me at my Bak-
er street rooms tomorrow morning be-
tween nine and ten shall be happy to
1 do what can to make it clearer. /
understand that you give me carte
/ blanche to act for you, provided only
! that I get back the gems. and that you
place no limit on the sum I may draw. -
/ Il would give my fortune to have
/ them back"