It was the late spring of ’95, a pleasant warm morning, with a little mist rolling along Baker Street. I was enjoying a short holiday, thanks to my locum, and as Mary was away visiting relatives, I had decided to call on Holmes.
I found Holmes stretched upon the couch wearing his mouse coloured dressing gown, and smoking an old briar pipe.
‘Come in Watson, he cried, without turning his head, I’m happy to see you after all this time. I see that your good wife Mrs. Watson is away and that you came by Hansom Cab.’
‘By Jove Holmes. You never cease to surprise me. Yes, Mary is away, but how could you possibly know that?’
‘Elementary, my dear Watson. Your hat has not been brushed, and you are wearing odd socks. Mary would never let you leave the house in such at state. Furthermore, there is a trace of fresh horse droppings on your left boot.’
‘Well of course Holmes, it is all obvious as usual when you explain it. And can I take it from your bored expression that there are no interesting cases to hand?’
‘Take a cigarette my friend” said Holmes offering the box, ‘and read this missive which I received yesterday.’ I noted the coat of arms at the top of the letter.
Dear Mr. Holmes,
I require to consult with you on a matter of great urgency and delicacy. I propose to call on you
at Baker Street at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
Your Servant,
Richard Tipton-Smythe
‘I believe Sir Richard was until recently Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ruthenia,’ said Holmes. ‘We may hope that this may be a matter not without interest, and your arrival is timely indeed Watson. It is 11’o clock, and I hear a carriage halting outside.’
I went to the bow window, and saw below a tall man alighting from a private carriage bearing the same coat of arms as the letter. A few moments later I heard the front door opened by Mrs. Hudson, and the steps of our visitor upon the stairs.
‘Mr. Holmes I presume’ said Sir Richard, clasping Holmes hand, ‘and you must be Doctor Watson’ he said, taking my hand with a strong grip.
Sir Richard was tall and fit looking, with dark hair and a trim moustache. Although perhaps in his early fifties, he moved with the confidence of a sportsman and seemed in excellent health. He carried a stick of dark wood with ornate silver chasings, and with a knob in the shape of a crown.
“I think it is not too early for sherry” said Holmes, offering the decanter and the cigarette box. ‘Now Sir Richard, pray how can I be of assistance?’
‘For some generations,’ responded Sir Richard, ‘my family has had in its position a stone known as “the Red Crystal”. It is believed to have come to the family about three hundred years ago as part of a South American ceremonial dagger, possibly of the Maya period. The dagger is lost, but the stone, which is of great value, has remained with the family. It is a six sided crystal, pinkish on the outside, but with blood red veins running through it. It is about the size of a pigeon egg.’
‘Last weekend I had a number of visitors to our house, Old Forest Manor. I brought out the stone to show the visitors just after dinner. It was passed around the table, and then I returned it the box in which it is kept, and locked it in a drawer in my study. The next morning I had occasion to collect some papers from my desk. The box was there, but seemed to have been pushed into a far corner. I pulled it back, and opened it, and you can imagine my consternation when I saw that the stone was gone!’
‘And I presume you have some reason for not going to the police?’ said Holmes.
‘Yes indeed, said Sir Richard bitterly. My guests are all out of the top drawer, the crème de la menthe of society. Harold Maltby, likely to be the next Prime Minister, together with his wife Helen, and Sir Graham Hollenshed, the great financier. Also amongst us was Major Darlington-Todd who did sterling service on the North-Western Frontier. The major was accompanied by his wife Emily. My brother George was also present. George looks after the Manor Farm, but also has other business interests, and spends a lot of time at his London flat. And then there was of course myself and my wife, Constance, and her younger sister Miranda. My servants I can speak for; they have been with the family, their sons and daughters for generations. I am drawn to the awful conclusion that one of the guests was responsible for this damnable theft.’
‘You have no idea how the crystal was removed, and no suspects?’ asked Holmes.
‘My dear sir, I have no idea. But as you can see, there would be an almighty scandal if one of the guests was found to be responsible.”
‘Sir Richard, please leave the matter in my hands; it is not without interest. I shall contact you within the next two days, and then plan to join you at Old Forest Manor shortly thereafter. Good day to you sir.’
‘Well, what do you make of him Watson?’
‘He seems a solid man,’ I replied, ‘well suited to his position as Ambassador, and I suspect from his bearing that he has previously been a soldier. He is obviously in good health, and has no need for the ornate cane which he is carrying.’ I waited for Holmes’s usual sarcastic comments on what I had missed.
‘Bravo Watson,’ said Holmes. ‘Were it not for the fact that I have prior knowledge, that would be a good analysis indeed.’
‘Prior knowledge Holmes – you have only met the gentleman today’ I interjected.
I have never to my knowledge met the man before. The man who I have met previously is Richard Tipton-Smythe. I have met Sir Richard on one occasion at the Travellers’ Club, and I can assure you Watson that this is not he; Sir Richard is left-handed, about an inch shorter than this man, has dark brown hair, but not as dark as this man, and carries a distinctive malacca cane, quite different from the cane carried by the false ‘Sir Richard. But there is of course, another possibility is there not?’
I hesitated. ‘I suppose it is possible that the man you met at the Travellers was not in fact Sir Richard.’
‘Bravo, Holmes, exactly. Now to determine the truth, I think the next step is to talk to my brother Mycroft, who certainly knows the real Sir Richard well. So our next step Watson is to take a Hansom to the Diogenes Club.’
I knew from past experience that Mycroft rarely moved from the Diogenes Club, although he seemed to have a wide network of contacts, and was always up to date with events. We found him in the Members’ Lounge, his huge bulk slumped in his favourite armchair. The rules of the Diogenes Club are that nobody is allowed to speak except in the Strangers’ Room. Holmes gestured to his brother that we should move there. Mycroft pulled his heavy body from the chair and followed us.
‘So how can I be of assistance Holmes’ asked his brother. Holmes related the story of Sir Richard and the red crystal, and the question of identification. Mycroft responded: ‘I can advise you as to the situation, but I fear it has nothing to do with the investigation of the red crystal. Sir Richard has a twin brother, George – not an identical twin, but in many ways very like Sir Richard. In ’93 the brothers were negotiating for a large loan from Rosenberg Merchant Bankers for investment in a silver mine in Chile. The bankers required a signature and surety from Sir Richard. At that time Sir Richard was heavily committed to certain Balkan peace negotiations, as Ambassador for Her Majesty’s Government in Ruthenia. It was decided that George should play the part of Sir Richard, and complete all the necessary documentation. This was completed successfully, the investment approved. Although technically dishonest or illegal, the negotiations took place in good faith. The man you met in the Travellers Club Holmes, was in fact Sir Richard’s brother George, who incidentally is also a member of the House of Lords.
However I should also add that he seems to be in some financial difficulties at present. The mine in Chile has brought in much less income than anticipated, and he has also invested unwisely in other enterprises overseas.’
With thanks to Mycroft, we made our way back to 221B Baker Street, where Mrs. Hudson awaited us with a high tea of ham and eggs.
‘Well Watson’ said Holmes, reaching for his Bradshaw. ‘I think it is time we paid a visit to Old Forest Manor. The 10.40 from Paddington tomorrow should get us to Edmunbury in an hour and a half. I will send a telegram requesting that we are met at the station.’
We were met by a dog-cart at Edmunbury Station, and half an hour later we arrived at Old Forest Manor in time for morning tea.
Sir Richard explained the situation to his guests.
‘Embarassing as it is, I called in Holmes because alerting the police could be worse for all of us. Holmes, I suppose you will want to search all the rooms, and perhaps carry out a search of our clothing?’
‘That will not be necessary,’ said Holmes, ‘but I would appreciate giving me the use of your library.’
‘Certainly said Sir Richard ‘take as long as you like.’
Thirty minutes later, Holmes emerged from the library. ‘I find I have to go to London’ said Holmes to Sir Richard. ‘I should be back by the 10.40 train, and I would appreciate it if you could arrange transport for me on my arrival.’
I was rather take aback by Holmes decision to go to London, but when I confronted him later in his room, all he would say was ‘remember the case of the blue carbuncle
Watson.’
Of course I remembered the case of the blue carbuncle, just before Christmas in ’93. A valuable jewel, the blue carbuncle, had been stolen from a town House in London. The criminal had hidden the stone in the crop of a Christmas goose, but then lost the goose. He also took steps to incriminate an innocent man who was locked up for the crime. Holmes had succeeded in recovering the blue carbuncle, and secured the release of the man from prison, in time to be re-united with his family for Christmas. Despite the fact that a valuable stone was involved in both cases, I could not remember anything of the blue carbuncle case which would be relevant to that of the red crystal. I would have to wait for Holmes arrival to receive enlightenment.
Holmes arrived at mid-morning. After lunch he told his host that he would like to spend a couple of hours in the library, and Sir Richard readily concurred, mentioning that it was never locked. Holmes did not invite me to join him, so I went for a walk. In the evening Holmes and I played whist with some of the other guests, and we went to bed at about 11.
At 6 a.m. we were awaked by our host. ‘Constance has disappeared along with my brother. They seem to have left through the french doors of the library. What can it mean Holmes?’
‘It means,’ said Holmes, ‘that I was too late to get hold of the thief. However all is not lost, let us repair once again to the library, and by all means invite your guests. I imagine they are all awake by now, and would appreciate a cup of tea, if that can be arranged sir.'
Holmes lit the gas lamps.
Maltby and Hollenshed looked wide awake, the Major less so. I remembered he had been punishing the brandy last night. The ladies were not present; I suspected that Sir Richard may have discouraged them from joining us, fearing some scandal would arise from Holmes revelations, as in fact was the case.
‘Watson’ said Holmes. ‘Would you mind turning of the gas lamp by your head there.’
I complied, and as the up turned lamp glass dimmed, ironically I saw the light. ‘Ah, Watson, I see you have remembered the relevance of the blue carbuncle case. However for the meantime, let us leave it aside’
‘Sir Richard,’ said Holmes. ‘I fear I have some painful news for you. I thought perhaps of advising you in privacy, but knowing the strength of your character, decided that it was best for all of us to gather here, and clear up the matter once and for all.
I visited London with a specific task in mind, but on the way called in on my brother Mycroft, who as you know has a wide information network. Amongst other things, he told me that Lady Constance was a frequent caller at your brother George’s flat. I suppose the neighbours thought little of it, knowing that George was the brother-in-law, but Mycroft seemed sure that it was a different relationship. This is now confirmed with the disappearance of the pair, and it was of course George who stole the red crystal.’
‘I am not entirely surprised’ said Sir Richard. ‘I have long suspected something of the sort, but was afraid to speak, in case my suspicions were unfounded. So it means they have got the crystal?’
‘Not so,’ said Holmes. ‘ My main task in going to London was to call on a jeweler known as Wally Stein, once a forger but now a man of probity and skill. I requested him to make a copy of the red crystal.’
‘But how is that possible’ exclaimed Sir Richard. ‘Surely you have never set eyes on it before.’
‘On the contrary,’ said Holmes. ‘I had the original red crystal, which was used to make the copy. The copy would not deceive an expert, but looked superficially very much like the real thing. I hid the copy where I knew the thief had put the original, and waited to catch him in the act of collecting it. Unfortunately he acted a little more quickly that I had anticipated.’
‘Watson, what do you now remember of the blue carbuncle case?’
‘Why Holmes,’ I responded. When you decided it was necessary to keep the blue carbuncle for some days, you hid it in what I consider to be a very ingenious place.’
‘Thank you, Watson. Now would you be good enough to put your hand into the lamp and bring out the red crystal.’ - And there it was, in all its glory.
‘My God,’ exclaimed Sir Richard. ‘You sir, are a remarkable man. I have lost a wife, who I suppose I would have lost in any case before long, but at least the red crystal remains in the family, and I can assure you we will be more careful in the security of the heirloom in future.’
Thus ended the adventure of the red crystal. Harold Maltby did indeed go on to become Prime Minister, and became a friend of Holmes, even occasionally gracing us with his presence at 221B Baker Street.
(2577 Words)
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