during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault if we do 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 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.


“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!” he

cried. “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 was acted

in my house last night?”


“If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow morning

between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to make it clearer. I

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.”


“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 here again before

evening.”


It was obvious to me that my companion’s mind was now made up about the

case, although what his conclusions were was more than I could even dimly

imagine. Several times during our homeward journey I endeavoured to sound him

upon the point, but he always glided away to some other topic, until at last I

gave it over in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our

rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a few minutes

dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned up, his shiny, seedy coat,