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
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