police have openly confessed that they can at present make nothing of
it. You may go to any expense which you think necessary. I have already
offered a reward of 1000. My God, what shall I do! I have lost my
honour, my gems, and my son in one night. Oh, what shall I do!
He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and fro,
droning to himself like a child whose grief has got beyond words.
Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows knitted
and his eyes fixed upon the fire.
Do you receive much company? he asked.
None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of
Arthur s. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No one
else, I think.
Do you go out much in society?
Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for it.
That is unusual in a young girl.
She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She is
four-and-twenty.
This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to her
also.
Terrible! She is even more affected than I.
You have neither of you any doubt as to your son s guilt?
How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in
his hands.
I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the
coronet at all injured?
Yes, it was twisted.
256