How far

am I justified in allowing him to be in danger?"

  "Danger of what, Holmes?"

  "Of sudden death. I'm expecting something this evening."

  "Expecting what?"

  "To be murdered, Watson."

  "No, no, you are joking, Holmes!"

  "Even my limited sense of humour could evolve a better joke

than that. But we may be comfortable in the meantime, may we

not? Is alcohol permitted? The gasogene and cigars are in the old

place. Let me see you once more in the customary armchair.

You have not, I hope, learned to despise my pipe and my

lamentable tobacco? It has to take the place of food these days."

  "But why not eat?"

  "Because the faculties become refined when you starve them.

Why, surely, as a doctor, my dear Watson, you must admit that

what your digestion gains in the way of blood supply is so much

lost to the brain. I am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is a mere

appendix. Therefore, it is the brain I must consider."

  "But this danger, Holmes?"

  "Ah. yes, in case it should come off, it would perhaps be as

well that you should burden your memory with the name and

address of the murderer. You can give it to Scotland Yard, with

my love and a parting blessing. Sylvius is the name -- Count

Negretto Sylvius. Write it down, man, write it down! 136 Moorside

Gardens, N. W. Got it?"

  Watson's honest face was twitching with anxiety. He knew

only too well the immense risks taken by Holmes and was well

aware that what he said was more likely to be under-statement

than exaggeration. Watson was always the man of action, and he

rose to the occasion.

  "Count me in, Holmes. I have nothing to do for a day or

two."

  "Your morals don't improve, Watson. You have added fib-

bing to your other vices. You bear every sign of the busy

medical man, with calls on him every hour."

  "Not such important ones. But can't you have this fellow

arrested?"

  "Yes, Watson, I could. That's what worries him so."

  "But why don't you?"

  "Because I don't know where the diamond is."

  "Ah! Billy told me -- the missing Crown jewel!"

  "Yes, the great yellow Mazarin stone. I've cast my net and I

have my fish. But I have not got the stone. What is the use of

taking them? We can make the world a better place by laying

them by the heels. But that is not what I am out for. It's the

stone I want."

  "And is this Count Sylvius one of your fish?"

  "Yes, and he's a shark. He bites. The other is Sam Merton

the boxer. Not a bad fellow, Sam, but the Count has used him.

Sam's not a shark. He is a great big silly bull-headed gudgeon.

But he is flopping about in my net all the same."

  "Where is this Count Sylvius?"

  "I've been at his very elbow all the morning. You've seen me

as an old lady, Watson.