That is it on the dressing-table.
Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau.
It is a noiseless lock, said he. It is no wonder that it did not
wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must have a
look at it. He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he laid it
upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the jeweller s art,
and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have ever seen. At one
side of the coronet was a cracked edge, where a corner holding three
gems had been torn away.
Now, Mr. Holder, said Holmes, here is the corner which corresponds
to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I beg that you will
break it off.
The banker recoiled in horror. I should not dream of trying, said he.
Then I will. Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but without
result. I feel it give a little, said he; but, though I am
exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time to
break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you think would
happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would be a noise like a
pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this happened within a few yards
of your bed and that you heard nothing of it?
I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me.
But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Miss
Holder?
I confess that I still share my uncle s perplexity.
Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?
He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt.
Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary luck
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
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