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。