The Secret Documents of Sherlock Holmes by June Thomson

Author:June Thomson [June Thomson]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780749016623
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2014-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

THE CASE OF THE VATICAN CAMEOS

I

It was, I recall, one morning in June, a few months before Holmes became associated with the lengthy and highly complex inquiry concerning Sir Henry Baskerville,* that an unexpected visitor arrived at our Baker Street lodgings.

He was heralded by a frantic pealing at the front door bell, followed by a pounding of feet up the stairs. Seconds later, the door was flung open and a man burst into the room.

‘Mr Holmes?’ he cried, looking from one to the other of us in great agitation. ‘Which of you is Mr Holmes?’

‘I am,’ my old friend replied coolly, laying aside the Morning Post and rising to his feet. ‘Pray sit down and compose yourself, sir. Watson, I think a little brandy might act as a restorative.’

This last remark was eminently sensible for the man, who was visibly trembling, seemed close to collapse.

He was a tall, rather portly figure in his late forties, I estimated, and was impeccably dressed in morning attire with one or two embellishments about his person in the way of a pearl tiepin and a heavy gold watch chain which, together with a faint accent, suggested he was of foreign extraction. His olive complexion, black hair and small moustache, flicked up at the ends, bore out this impression.

As Holmes settled him into an armchair, I placed a glass of brandy in his hand which he drank quickly, his teeth chattering against the rim. But the spirit seemed to revive him for, by degrees, the trembling stopped and his breathing became easier.

‘Now, sir,’ said Holmes, drawing up a chair to face him. ‘Have you sufficiently recovered to give me your name and state what business has brought you here?’

Holmes’ calm manner seemed to encourage the man for, with no further ado, he plunged straight into his account.

‘My name, Mr Holmes, is Signor Graziani and I was asked by His Holiness the Pope* to bring to London one of the Vatican treasures for display at the exhibition of Renaissance art which is to be held at the British Museum next week. I was chosen for this task because I speak good English and am considered an expert in Renaissance jewellery. In the past I have been called in several times to advise the Vatican on the cleaning and care of some of its collection of precious gems. You see, sir, I have my own jewellery business in Rome, very exclusive and expensive, which caters for only the very richest clients.

‘On my advice, the object chosen for exhibition was a set of three fifteenth century cameos which once belonged to the Medici family.† They are exquisite, sir! Priceless!’ His voice rose and, in an excess of emotion, he gripped the arms of his chair so fiercely that his knuckles whitened. ‘To think that these treasures were entrusted to my care! How am I going to tell His Holiness the Pope that they have been stolen?’

‘Stolen?’ Holmes repeated abruptly and I saw his head lift, like a gun dog’s scenting game.

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