"Could the Golden Bird have some religious significance?" I guessed, somewhat desperately.
Holmes registered a negative. "To my knowledge, the roc is simply a figure in mythology and plays no part in an organized religious movement. No, Watson, we are faced with a problem here that indicates deep water indeed. Possibly, Barker's last message will reveal a factor that we have not considered."
He paced the room thoughtfully for a moment and then came to a decision.
"We do know the Golden Bird is in London and an important, nay vital, question is whether it remains in the possession of Baron Dowson or if the man with the lisp departed from the Nonpareil Club before or during the outbreak of violence. Slim, best to learn what you can about the Nonpareil affair with particular attention to anyone carrying a black attache case."
Gilligan nodded. I knew that his lock and key establishment had been financed by Sherlock Holmes and suspected that the detective paid him a monthly retainer as well for his unique abilities. Rising to his feet, he had but one question.
"Any description of the cove?"
"Alas, no," replied Holmes, with distaste. "We did not see him, but he was closeted with Dowson and Sylvius prior to the attack and may well have left with the Bird in his possession."
As the cracksman departed, Holmes turned his attention to the letter that Gilligan had delivered. After reading for some moments, his eyes found mine briefly. "This should interest you, Watson: 'My dear Sherlock Holmes: Having long been an admirer of your career, let me send this message for your consideration. Your faithful biographer, Dr. Watson, makes frequent reference to the fact that you delight in puzzles and I have composed this to provide you with mental stimulation.' " Holmes looked up with approval in his eyes. "You will note that Barker's introduction is written as though we had never met. A clever touch, that, to allay suspicions should this fall into other hands. He now lists a series of questions," he added, returning to Barker's words:
" 'One: What was of Agra?' "
"That's simple enough," I said. "The Agra Treasure. I well recall that, Holmes, since it was the second of your cases that I revealed in print."
"With the melodramatic title of The Sign Of The Four,'" agreed Holmes. " 'Two: The Yoxley Case was?'"
"The Golden Pince-Nez."
"I believe we can accept golden as the key word," said Holmes. "Our knowledge of the Lindquist case makes our reading of this cryptic letter considerably easier. Consider the third clue. 'Three: Wilson dealt with? . . .'"
"An easy one," I said, triumphantly. "The reference has to be to Wilson, the notorious canary trainer."
"With what we already know, the meaning is not canary but rather bird. We now have: treasure, golden, bird, which certainly fits. The fourth question, however, puzzles me. See what you make of it, Watson.' 'Four: What gave the tadpole fever?' "
"Good heavens, that's a strange clue. But wait . . ." —I almost shouted with excitement—"Tadpole was the schoolboy nickname of Percy Phelps."
"Good show, Watson! Phelps had brain fever because of the theft of the Naval Treaty. Obviously, the key word is theft since it fits so nicely with the next one. 'Five: From Trincomalee to? . . .' "
I thought for a moment. "The reference must be to the singular adventure of the Atkinson Brothers at Trincomalee . . . but ..."
"But do recall that, following exposure, the brothers fled to Constantinople."
"That's it, Holmes! Treasure . . . golden . . . bird . . . theft . . . Constantinople . . . what's next?"
" 'Six: Eduardo Lucas and Milverton.' "
I gazed at Holmes in astonishment. "But they are both dead."
"True, but they certainly had something in common."
"They were both blackmailers. Lucas came within an ace of ruining the Secretary for European Affairs in that 'Second Stain' affair, as you well know."
"And Charles Augustus Milverton was an even greater and more heartless rascal, if that is possible."
"But, Holmes, it was coming along swimmingly to this point. Now we have two deceased blackmailers who could not be involved."
"But you will accept two. I think that is rather important. Let us look deeper, ol' chap. What do blackmailers do?"
"Extort money, bleed their victims dry."
"Agreed. And they are able to ply their nefarious trade because they are collectors."
I did not follow this at all so Holmes elaborated. "Both Lucas and Milverton collected indiscreet letters, proofs of crime or infidelity, knowledge of sordid episodes in their victims' lives. What Barker suggests is that two collectors are involved in the pursuit of the Golden Bird. It being an art object, we must assume that both are collectors of art. Now our adventure of this evening reveals that one of these collectors could put his hand on a very large sum of money."
"The payoff to Baron Dowson," I said, mechanically, and was rewarded with a nod.
"While the other could command a sizeable group of henchmen. Is it not obvious that these mysterious collectors are men of wealth and power?"
As I nodded, Holmes referred to the letter again.
"Here you must help me, good fellow. 'Seven: The birth of Mary Morstan?' "
"My dear Mary was born in 1861," I said sadly. "Of course, the date may not have been what Barker was referring to."
"Possibly the next clue will give us an indication. 'Eight: Victor Hatherley was? . . .' "
"He was an engineer," I said, promptly. "He was young."
Holmes puzzled on this for a moment. "He was also unfortunate."
"I would certainly say so having his thumb chopped off like that."
"I note," said my friend, "that Barker seems partial to the titles of your stories and "The Engineer's Thumb' was the name you gave it."
"Hmm . . . Victor Hatherley was without a thumb? Missing a thumb?"
"Wait," said Holmes. "Possibly a number is our seventh clue. Would not the word minus go along with that?"
"Victor Hatherley was minus a thumb. He certainly was. What is the next clue, Holmes?"
"Here is an easy one and I think a picture is coming into focus. 'Nine: The objects in Holder's security.' "
"The Beryl Coronet," I said, hastily.
"And there were thirty-nine Beryls in the Coronet."
"Why, Holmes, it's obvious. 1861 minus 39 gives us 1822."
"Indeed, it does and that is the last clue. Does it have any significance to you?"
I tried, dear me how I tried, but my efforts were fruitless. Holmes was obviously stumped as well.
"What do you make of all this, Holmes?"
"Two things. 1822 is the prime bit of information. Note that the rest of this message relates to matters we have already learned about. I believe the date was the information that poor Barker was taking to Lindquist when he met his fate."
"What is your other conclusion?"
"Simply that Barker was a devoted reader of your printed words, my good Watson."
5
To Berlin
41
It was coming on to ten of the morning when I descended from my bedchamber to find that Holmes had preceded me and was with company. Inspector Alec MacDonald was enjoying a steaming cup of coffee with the great detective, but considering the suspicious glance he fastened upon me as I entered the sitting room, I sensed that this was not a social call.
"Ah, Watson, you come at an appropriate time," said Holmes, pouring from the great silver urn. "I'm just learning about a singular event that occurred in Soho last night."
Accepting a cup from Holmes, I tried to look interested and startled at the same time. My innocent expression did not seem to register on the dour inspector, who at this time was just beginning to build the formidable reputation that he later enjoyed at Scotland Yard.