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。