"It was last Wednesday when matters came to a head. I had planned to do some shopping in the afternoon, and then take tea with a friend, as it was the servants' half-day. I took a brooch out of my jewellery case before I left, and placed the case back in the drawer of my dressing-table. When I returned home and went to replace the brooch in the case, I noticed that the contents had been somewhat disturbed, and was horrified to find that a valuable emerald ring which had been in there had vanished. I
searched the case and drawer thoroughly, thinking that perhaps it had fallen out, but could not find it anywhere. The ring has great sentimental value to me, as it belonged to my mother, and I was terribly distraught when Cecil arrived home.
"He saw at once that something was wrong, and went dreadfully pale when I told him about the ring. However, he did his best to console me, saying that he was sure I had merely misplaced it, and that it would come to light soon. It was then that a terrible thought struck me. I remembered the empty box where the cufflinks should have been, and the missing watch. Could there be some connection with my missing ring?
"I asked Cecil if he had taken the watch to be repaired, and he seemed very surprised that I should ask. His surprise gave me all the answer I needed, and I told him what I had found. It seemed obvious to me that a thief had been at work, and I urged Cecil to call in the police. A policeman came out to the house the next day, and we soon discovered that other items were missing, such as a tie-pin and a gold snuff-box."
Our client paused for breath. Holmes, who had been listening carefully to her tale, said, "Your husband has been working long hours for some time, you said. For how long, exactly?"
Mrs Forrester looked somewhat surprised at the question. "Really, Mr Holmes, I cannot see what that has to do with the matter."
"Nevertheless, Mrs Forrester, I repeat the question. The smallest matter may have a bearing upon the case."
"Well, it began in June, as far as I can remember."
"And has continued until the present time?"
"Yes."
"Have the hours remained unchanged?"
"No-no, he began working even later towards the end of August." Mrs Forrester had appeared puzzled by the line of questioning, but now understanding broke over her face. "I believe I see the reasoning behind your questions, Mr Holmes. You think that someone has been watching the house from outside, someone who has noted the long hours my husband works and knows when the house will be empty."
"Possibly," said my friend in a noncommittal voice. "I cannot theorize before I have all my data. The items that have gone missing thus far – cufflinks, a watch, a tie-pin, a snuff-box – all have belonged to your husband?"
"All except my ring, Mr Holmes." "Quite so. Has anything else been missed?"
"No."
"Yet you must have many more items of value. Has none of your other jewellery vanished?"
"No, Mr Holmes. I am sure I would have noticed."
Holmes stretched in his chair. "Surely the official force found no difficulty in seeing to the bottom of this affair, for if you will pardon my saying so it hardly seems complex."
"Well, complex or no, Mr Holmes, the man accomplished little beyond turning our house upside-down before telling us that my maid, Sarah, was the most likely culprit, and that if he could search her belongings he was sure the missing items would be found."
"Upon what did he base this conclusion?"
"He had been told that Wednesday was the servants' half-day, and he checked on their actions during the afternoon. We employ four servants – a cook, a housekeeper, a governess, and Sarah. The cook had been visiting her family, and they all confirmed that she had been with them for the entire afternoon. Mrs Lodge, our housekeeper, had spent her afternoon with a friend, and again it was proved that she had been away from the house for the entire time. Mary, our governess, had been out with the twins, who were attending the birthday party of one of their young friends, and her whereabouts are above question. Poor Sarah, however, had been feeling rather poorly, and had spent the afternoon in her room, resting. Of course, she had no proof of this, and the policeman fixed on this point, as he could see no signs of anyone from outside forcing an entry into the house."
"That seems eminently reasonable, if a trifle mundane," said Holmes. "What makes you so positive that your maid is innocent?"
"Mr Holmes, Sarah has been with me for several years, and I know she would never do such a thing. The policeman thinks me foolish, I am sure, but I know that she is innocent, and I will not see her subjected to any indignities. The poor girl is very upset, and is terrified that she will lose her position, or worse."
"What, pray, is your husband's reaction?"
"Cecil does not want to see her prosecuted as a thief, and seems to feel that it will be difficult to prove the case against her
conclusively. However, he seems convinced of Sarah's guilt, and is urging me to dismiss her. This I shall not do until I have proof one way or the other. That is why I have come to you for help."
I could not help but admire the woman for her compassion, and her staunch defence of her maid. My friend, however, merely shrugged and said, "The police case seems fairly clear. What exactly is it that you would have me do?"
"I would like you to come to the house and see what you can find. It is well known that you can see things which remain hidden to others. I am sure that you will find evidence which the police have overlooked or misconstrued. Please say you will help!"
Holmes thought for a moment, then said quietly, "Yes. I will help."
Our client gave a sigh of relief, and a smile erased some of the strain from her features. "Thank you, Mr Holmes. Will you come back to Camberwell with me now?"
"No," said Holmes. Noting her look of surprise and disappointment, he added, "I have a pressing engagement in an hour's time, but I shall be at your disposal after that. If you will leave your address with us, we shall be out to see you no later than three o'clock."
After our client had left, Holmes sat musing for some minutes, while I sat quietly, waiting. Much as I wished to know his thoughts, I refrained from interrupting his reverie, knowing his dislike of being disturbed. Finally he sprang from his chair and picked up his hat and stick.
"Off to your appointment?" I asked.
"Yes, Watson, and it is one to which you might be interested in accompanying me. I am off to see Mr Cecil Forrester, of the firm of Williams and Co."
"I was not aware that you had an appointment with him."
"Nor was I, until a few minutes ago, when I excused myself from accompanying Mrs Forrester. The truth is, Watson, that I wish to see Mr Forrester before examining the house."
We hailed a cab, and eventually found ourselves deposited in a small square off Threadneedle Street, in the shadow of the Royal Exchange. The office of Williams and Co. appeared to be prosperous, judging by the hum of activity which greeted us as we entered. Holmes explained to a clerk that we were there to see Mr Forrester on urgent business, and the emphasis placed on the word "urgent" caused the man to hurry off. He returned with the news that Mr Forrester would see us in a moment. Holmes, whose keen eye had been noting down details of the office, commented on the activity.
"We're no busier than usual," replied the clerk. "We did have another chap employed for a few months, to help us with some extra business, but we let him go three months ago. Ah, Mr Forrester will see you now."
We were ushered into his office, and the clerk left, closing the door behind him. Our client's husband was a man of about five-and forty, although his pale and somewhat haggard face made him seem older. He gazed at us in puzzlement.
"My clerk said you had urgent business with me, gentlemen, but I am afraid I cannot place your faces."
"Perhaps you can place our names," said my friend smoothly. "I am Sherlock Holmes, and this gentleman is my colleague, Dr Watson. We have been asked by Mrs Forrester to look into the matter of some missing jewellery."