Part 29 (1/2)
”I never suggest I hting back tears ”It must have been one of the staff!”
”Do you have any reason to suspect any member of your household staff?” enquired Holmes
”No, but”
”Then you should not” Holmes spread his hands wide ”It is a common malpractice of the upper classes to rely on cliche when presented with absolutely no evidence”
I saw Ja into fists ”How dare you!” I thought he was going to hit Hol to step in between, but Raffles beat me to it
”Come now, Ja it willingly nobody is at fault because the facts are not as you would wish the effect
”Yes, yes of course You're right, Arthur My apologies, Mr Holh the hot, tense atest, Holmes?”
”There is only one course of action open to us, I fear”
”Which is?” asked James Holings of all your guests”
A stunned silence replaced the tension ”What?” blurted Elizabeth, now rising in shock to stand side by side with her husband
”That's quite impossible,” maintained Jauests have belongings They can be searched”
”I agree with Mr Hol a startled Manders to sit up
”I say, Raffles, steady on,” he exclaimed
”No, no, Bunny It's quite correct, and the only way to be sure Isn't that, so, Mr Holreement
”You see? I will happily subject myself to a search, and so will Bunny” Raffles smiled amiably
”We will?” asked a confused Manders ”Yes Yes, I suppose ill” He sank back into the chair, crushed
”But our guests, the explanations” pleaded Elizabeth, the prospect of social e than the theft of her tiara
”I have no personal connections to any of your guests, bar one, so kindly lay the blame for this intrusion atin the chair
Jahed and with a look to Elizabeth, capitulated ”Very well”
Holether with a sudden injection of energy ”Sergeant Cope?” The representative of the local constabulary looked surprised to be called upon ”If you could rouse your men, we should be able to have this taken care of with the minimum of fuss”
”Yes, sir,” said the portly police officer, al off, clearly happy to have so of import to attend to
As Hols of the houseguests was a simple and quick affair They were, for thehad several hours of indolence in which to assemble their possessions into an array of valises and weekend bags
”If they have nothing to hide, they will not object,” Holuests had effectively been under house arrest that , they were more than happy to cooperate with the search if it hastened their departure All apologies frorace and hu rooe for appraisal
I stood side by side with Hol each case and dis forth the stolen tiara Ja
Raffles and Manders caether, both dressed for the off ”Here we are,” said Raffles breezily, ”all ready for inspection You first, Bunny”
Manders' voice trey ”Um, yes Of course” He placed his eant, his eyes twitching as he watched the policeh of relief when the sergeant shook his head, but then looked even e with a friendly grin
”I do apologise for the state ofElizabeth tells ood woman to take care of that stuff” This coaxed a s beside him, Manders looked positively ill as the latches were released on the case
Holy hands worked their way through the case, he lent forward Manders looked to be barely breathing, and I thought he would faint clean away as the policeeant closed the bag, turning to Hol his head Manders breathed out heavily, all tension leaving his body Holeant, and if I didn't know better I'd say the ghost of a smile played on his lips
His case secured once more, Raffles proceeded on an enthusiastic pro out fond farewells and all his hopes for a happy outcome to the present situation He stopped before Hol each other Raffles smiled ”Mr Holmes”
”Mr Raffles,” said Hol tomy hand ”Yours has been a rare pleasure, and I shall hope to renew our acquaintance quite soon”
”Yes, I should like that,” I replied And I meant it I liked the chap immensely, and Mr Manders, despite his aardness, had a certain charone, off back to London by whatever means was available to them
I would like to say at this juncture that the matter of the stolen tiara was resolved quickly and satisfactorily That was not to be the case
There were still a few guests whose baggage was yet to be searched, but as each of thes, it was becoly doubtful the iteht forth And so it ith a great lack of enthusiase, then shook his head to indicate the negative outco her composure, but clearly shaken by the outcome
”I aesture Why I felt the need to apologise I wasn't quite sure, but it was offered nonetheless
”It's not your fault, John Thank you And thank you, Mr Holmes”