by Ashton, Hugh
“ But no-one would believe such an outrageous tale ! ” I protested. “ The whole idea is completely absurd ! ”
“ There are all too many hotheads in Ireland, as well as on this side of the Irish Sea, who would be all too willing to believe such a story, ridiculous as it might appear to you and me. Those who believe that the Pope is furnished with horns and hooves and a tail and that all Romans are in league with Satan would have little difficulty in swallowing the story.”
“ And this ? ” I asked, pointing to the article in the other newspaper.
“ Again, a challenge to us to produce the cameos and prove the writer of the article to be wrong. This particular scandal sheet has a scant respect for accuracy in the articles that it prints, and I am almost certain of the source of this. Even to a more reputable journal, this source might carry some weight, though.”
“ The source being ? ”
Before Holmes could give an answer, Avery Pillstone was announced as a visitor, and the curator entered the room, brandishing a copy of the same newspaper that Holmes and I had just finished perusing.
“ Ah, you have seen it too ? ” he exclaimed. “ This is all the doing of that wretched McCoy ! ”
“ I had come to the same conclusion myself,” replied Holmes. “ What leads you to believe this ? ”
“ This story claims that the cameos are ascribed to Giovanni Lavatelli. There is no-one in the field with any claim to credibility who could possibly believe such an absurdity. I, together with Monsignor Raffaelo of the Vatican, and M. Dulac of the Louvre, am convinced that they can be the work of none other than Pietro d’Angelo. The only person whom I have heard seriously advance the claims of Lavatelli is McCoy.”
“ Added to which, of course, your name and title are given in the article, and you informed me that none of your colleagues was aware of the disappearance of these articles. The article was obviously the work of someone with extensive knowledge of the workings of the Museum, and there is only one such who fits the bill. How did you come to read this, by the by ? I can hardly imagine that this newspaper is your standard daily fare ? ”
Pillstone blushed slightly as he spoke. “ It is our cook’s choice of literary fare. She was reading this as she was waiting for the kettle to boil, and my name ‘leaped out of the page’ at her, as she put it. She immediately brought it up to us, in the belief that I would find it of interest.”
“ There she was not mistaken,” said Holmes. “ I do not know if you have had time to look at today’s Morning Post ? ” Pillstone shook his head. “ You may find this to be of equal interest.”
Pillstone perused the offending letter, his face slowly draining of colour. “ Who would believe such a fairy-tale ? ” he asked. “ This is monstrous ! ”
“ Watson asked me the same question, and I will give you the same reply that I gave to him. There are all too many, here and in Ireland, who would believe this story to be true, or at least make a pretence of believing it so, as an excuse for carrying out their deeds. Tell me, Mr. Pillstone, did you and McCoy ever discuss religion ? Since you are a Roman Catholic and he is obviously a Protestant, I would imagine that this was a topic of conversation to be avoided.”
“ How did you know that I am a Catholic ? ” exclaimed Pillstone in consternation.
“ My dear sir, you cannot expect to have a rosary protruding from your fob pocket and have it ignored.” Pillstone glanced down, and hurriedly tucked the article out of sight. “ Not that it is any concern or business of mine, you understand, except insofar as it impinges on the problem before us.”
“ No, it is not a subject that we ever discussed, though I was certainly aware of his beliefs, and I saw no reason to conceal mine. However, I suppose that I should tell you that, despite his undoubted ability in the field in which we were working, there was a definite antipathy between us, which never expressed itself in outright hostility, but which made our relations strained at times.”
“ I had guessed as much from his attitude towards you when we met. Still, it would appear that our hand has been forced, and we must now play our trump card.”
“ The genuine cameo, you mean ? ”
“ Precisely. We must set it in the display case, surrounded by the twelve substitutes.”
“ But they will deceive no-one.”
“ We will place them upside down so that the faces are not visible, and you can place a note in the cabinet that the genuine cameos will replace them as soon as cleaning is complete.”
“ But to what end ? ”
“ Let us place them so that those who are responsible for the theft will be drawn into the room to examine the cameos more closely, believing the complete set somehow to be now in our possession.”
“ And then ? ” I could not refrain from asking.
“ We will have at least one of the gang secured, and we may then discover more through him.”
“ You seem to be sure this will happen.”
“ These two newspapers are a challenge thrown down to us. I accept their challenge and welcome it. Let us fight them, but on our own ground and in our own way. But first, I must break my fast, if you will excuse me, Mr. Pillstone. Watson and I will be with you at the Museum within the hour.”
Holmes devoured (there is no other word that adequately describes his actions) the excellent meal that Mrs. Hudson brought in to us. “ I seem to have eaten almost nothing for the past few days,” he said, wiping his lips with his napkin. “ Indeed, when I come to consider it, I have indeed eaten virtually nothing for that time. I would be obliged, Watson, if you would be kind enough to step out and replenish my stock of tobacco. I appear to have mislaid my tin, and the supply in the slipper seems to be exhausted. There are one or two matters to which I will attend in your absence.”
I left the house and procured the requested article, returning to find Holmes wearing a warm topcoat and carrying his hat, obviously prepared to go outside. He thanked me for the tobacco, but appeared in a hurry to leave.
“ Come, let us go to the Museum. I will take my riding-crop with me, I think,” referring to the riding-crop he often carried, whose weighted handle was filled with lead and which, in his hands, was a formidable weapon. “ In your case, Watson, I feel a revolver would be inappropriate weapon to be used within the confines of the Museum. Would you feel at a disadvantage armed only with an ashplant ? ”
“ That would depend on the kind of ruffian we are facing.”
“ You have faced three of them alone before now,” Holmes reminded me. “ This time we will be two, and I am trusting that we can also rely on the services of at least one of the Museum porters, as well as Pillstone himself, though I confess to doubting his utility in such a circumstance.”
We called a cab to the Museum, and were shown to Pillstone’s office by one of the porters. “ Excellent,” exclaimed Holmes, when he saw the thirteen cameos already on the desk. “ Let us to the gallery. You have informed your colleagues of the intention to display them ? ”
“ I did, and though it occasioned some surprise in some quarters, we Curators are pretty independent in the way we are allowed to handle things. I do not think that anyone suspects that there is anything untoward in my deciding to exhibit the cameos at such short notice.”
“ Let us go, then.”
“ Through the passages ? ”
“ If you please, Mr. Pillstone. It may be to our advantage if I am not observed here at present.”
Once again, we made our way through the rather cramped, dimly lit passages which formed a secret web honeycombing the Museum (if I may be permitted to mix my metaphors a little) and emerged in the gallery.
“ Now,” said Holmes, “ let us bait the trap.” Skilfully, he and Pillstone arranged the genuine cameo and flanked it with the twelve replacements, being careful to place the latter with the caricature portraits facing downwards. Pillstone added a card which explained that these were substitutes, which would be replaced by the genuine article once the cleaning wor
k had been completed. The genuine cameo was clearly visible, and a little separated from the rest. The case was relocked, and Holmes strode to the door of the gallery, cocking his head on one side as he regarded the gems.
“ Let us move it so that the cameos are more visible from here,” he suggested.
“ Very well,” replied Pillstone. “ Jennings,” he called to the uniformed porter standing by the door of the gallery. “ Please give us a hand here.”
With the four of us, the case was easily rearranged to Holmes’ satisfaction. “ Thank you, Jennings,” he addressed the porter. “ Were you in Zanzibar for long ? ”
“ Ten years, sir,” answered the other, and his jaw dropped. “ I’ve never met you before, sir, have I ? Who told you I’d served in Zanzibar ? ”
“ You did, just now,” smiled Holmes.
“ I did no such thing ! ” the other objected.
“ Ah, but my dear Jennings, there are things that you can tell me without words,” Holmes informed him. “ Your general carriage marks you out as a military man used to command, and your complexion informs me that you have served abroad, as a member of her Majesty’s Army—and have suffered from malaria.”
“ That’s right, sir. The malaria still comes over me at times, and a confounded nuisance it is, to be sure.”
“ And you were a sergeant, at least. I would guess you held the rank of at least company sergeant-major ? ”
The fellow puffed out his chest with a little pride. “ Indeed I was that, sir, and I may say without boasting that I was a good one, too. But begging your pardon, sir, how do you know it was Zanzibar where I served ? ”
“ Your watch-chain, my good Jennings, has attached to it a regimental fob with the name of your regiment and the date of your service inscribed on it. I happen to know that the regiment in question served in the protectorate of Zanzibar when overseas at that date.”
“ My word, sir, you have sharp eyes and a good knowledge of these things.”
“ And you also wear a wristband which, if I am not mistaken, is made from elephant hair, and which is commonly believed to bring luck and health. Such are commonly produced and sold in East Africa, are they not, so I would assume that you made at least one trip to the mainland ? ”
“ Indeed I did, sir. Pardon me, but you’re not a part of the Museum staff, are you, sir ? May I ask what you and this gentleman,” indicating me, “ and Mr. Pillstone are planning ? ”
“ We are hoping to catch a gang of desperate ruffians who are out to destroy the peace of this nation, Jennings,” replied Holmes. I could see that he now had the man’s complete confidence, and Jennings would be prepared to follow him into the jaws of hell itself. It was a quality I had remarked in Holmes on previous occasions, and it never failed to impress me. “ We will require your assistance, and that of another able-bodied porter.”
“ Davies would be the man. He had B Company when I was A. And though A Company was always the smarter and better turned out, I have to admit that B was never far behind.”
“ Very good,” said Holmes, obviously amused by the man’s reminiscences. “ Doctor Watson here and I, along with Mr. Pillstone, will be hidden in the passage here, or possibly behind that screen I see in the corner. We know the appearance of the men for whom we are looking. When we see them, you will hear three sharp blasts on this whistle here, and you must then shut the doors and prevent anyone from leaving the gallery. We will then come to assist you. Is that clear ? ”
“ Perfectly clear, sir, thank you. Shall I fetch Davies now, sir ? ”
“ Please do so. Do not look for us when you return with him. We will be concealed.”
“ Do you really intend to spend all day in that passage, Holmes ? ” I asked.
“ Either there, or behind that screen, as I said. Do not feel that you both of you need be present with me at all times, however. Indeed, Mr. Pillstone, I would very much appreciate it if you could ensure that this display has as wide a publicity as it is possible for you and the Museum to manage in a short time.”
“ You really expect that our thieves will come today ? ”
“ I am convinced of it. I am sure that they are watching for any sign connected with the cameos, and the idea that we are exhibiting all thirteen cameos—be sure to mention the plural—will excite their curiosity, given that they are in possession of the other twelve. I know this for a fact,” he added, in answer to Pillstone’s questioning look. “ It is now nearly half-past nine. I would suggest that you and Watson take turn and turn about at two-hour intervals. So you will relieve Watson at half-past eleven.”
“ I can guess that you have a plan, Mr. Holmes, but I am not convinced that I can see what it is.”
“ I, too, am somewhat confused,” I admitted to Holmes, when Pillstone was out of earshot, and we had secreted ourselves in the passage, with the door ajar a fraction, allowing the one of us who stood before the other a clear view of the cabinet in which the cameos reposed. However, he made no answer to my comment, and disposed matters so that he would be in the position from where we could both best watch the doings in the gallery.
It had been a matter of some thirty minutes only when Holmes, who was watching avidly through the door, stiffened. “ It is he ! ” he hissed to me.
“ To whom do you refer ? ”
“ Sir William Ferguson himself. The head serpent approaches, without his tail, but I do not think he will try any of his tricks just now. Aha ! He has seen the thirteen cameos, and he is going to inspect them. Yes, he has read the notice saying that we will replace them, and his face is as black as thunder. He is turning and— Down, Watson, down ! ” He broke off his speech and dropped, crouching, to the floor. I followed his example, though I was unsure of the precise reason for his actions. “ He was looking directly at this door,” he said to me, “ and it is best if our faces are not visible at the usual height where one would expect to see them.” He peered, still crouching. “ Now he is going out of the room, and no doubt he will summon his minions soon.” I peered through the crack, and observed the back of the stout red-haired former Member of Parliament as he stalked out of the room.
“ To what end ? ”
“ I originally believed that he only wanted to create confusion, but as a result of the events of the past few days, I am now convinced that he indeed has a buyer for the stolen goods. The price that these cameos could fetch would easily be sufficient to equip a small army. Such a force could be used to wage a civil war in the event that it were generally believed that Home Rule was to be declared.”
“ He would be prepared to fight against the Government, you mean ? ”
“ I fear that is the case, Watson. But mark this, that the gems lose most of their value without the central figure which currently reposes in the case. I fear he may be planning to steal the cameo once more. I do not mean that he personally will do so, but we can expect a visit from his bully-boys soon enough.”
“ In broad daylight ? ”
“ It is possible, but I think unlikely. I feel we may stand down from our posts now, but we must ensure that the Museum staff continue to stand guard.”
So saying, he stepped from the passage, and I followed. “ We have seen the man we want, Jennings,” he told the grizzled ex-soldier. “ I do not think he will return, but I am convinced that there should be at least two good men on duty here at all times until the public has left the building, and there should be a guard posted all night.”
“ If I may be permitted, sir, I would like to volunteer for the night duty,” said Jennings.
“ I, too,” added Davies, speaking for the first time. “ I can find two more men to cover this post for the rest of the day, and I and CSM Jennings will be happy to stand guard for the night. It won’t be the first time we’ve spent all night waiting for the trouble to come and find us, will it, Charlie ? ”
“ Indeed it won’t. And it will be a damned sight more comfortable, begging your pardon for the language, sir, than the times we spen
t on the African plains, waiting for lions and leopards to come out of the bush at us. A lot more exciting than standing here all day, as well,” he added.
“ Very good,” said Holmes. “ We will all meet again this evening then. I would find your replacements now, and allow yourselves to rest before the night’s vigil.”
Holmes and I made our way to Pillstone’s office and informed him of the developments.
“ We must capture these rogues red-handed,” said Holmes. “ We cannot move against them on suspicion alone.”
“ What do you require of me ? ” asked Pillstone. “ I must confess, this is somewhat outside my usual line of duty.”
“ You must ensure that we have permission to remain in the Museum and do what is needed to protect the remaining cameo, and those two porters who seem so admirably suited to the task are allowed to assist us tonight.”
“ They are two of our finest men, to be sure, and I am delighted that they have been so public-spirited as to volunteer for this task.”
“ Excellent,” said Holmes. “ We will remain here until the evening, if that is convenient. One or the other of us will be visiting the gallery at intervals during the day to ensure there is nothing untoward occurring.”
As Holmes had explained, he and I took it turns to visit the gallery, by the normal routes, rather than through the passages, at frequent intervals. I was returning from one of these visits, when I caught a glimpse in the crowd of a face that seemed somehow familiar to me. In a few seconds, I had marked the man as one of those who had burst into our rooms in Baker-street and threatened me and Holmes. I looked at the man next to him, and marked him as the man whose arm I had wounded, as was obvious from the fact that he carried the injured limb in a sling across his chest.
I quickly ducked out of sight of the men behind a pillar, watching carefully until they had gone down the stairs. I inferred that they had been sent on a reconnaissance sortie by Sir William in order to spy out the gallery, in preparation for an assault later that day, or in the night. I thereupon hurried to Holmes and informed him of what I had just seen.