In the Fog | Page 3

gentleman with the black pearl laughed morosely.
"The weighty work in which the eminent statesman is so deeply
engrossed," he said, "is called 'The Great Rand Robbery.' It is a
detective novel, for sale at all bookstalls."
The American raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
"'The Great Rand Robbery'?" he repeated incredulously. "What an odd
taste!"
"It is not a taste, it is his vice," returned the gentleman with the pearl
stud. "It is his one dissipation. He is noted for it. You, as a stranger,
could hardly be expected to know of this idiosyncrasy. Mr. Gladstone
sought relaxation in the Greek poets, Sir Andrew finds his in Gaboriau.
Since I have been a member of Parliament I have never seen him in the
library without a shilling shocker in his hands. He brings them even
into the sacred precincts of the House, and from the Government
benches reads them concealed inside his hat. Once started on a tale of
murder, robbery, and sudden death, nothing can tear him from it, not
even the call of the division bell, nor of hunger, nor the prayers of the
party Whip. He gave up his country house because when he journeyed
to it in the train he would become so absorbed in his detective stories
that he was invariably carried past his station." The member of
Parliament twisted his pearl stud nervously, and bit at the edge of his

mustache. "If it only were the first pages of 'The Rand Robbery' that he
were reading," he murmured bitterly, "instead of the last! With such
another book as that, I swear I could hold him here until morning.
There would be no need of chloroform to keep him from the House."
The eyes of all were fastened upon Sir Andrew, and each saw with
fascination that with his forefinger he was now separating the last two
pages of the book. The member of Parliament struck the table softly
with his open palm.
"I would give a hundred pounds," he whispered, "if I could place in his
hands at this moment a new story of Sherlock Holmes--a thousand
pounds," he added wildly--"five thousand pounds!"
The American observed the speaker sharply, as though the words bore
to him some special application, and then at an idea which apparently
had but just come to him, smiled in great embarrassment.
Sir Andrew ceased reading, but, as though still under the influence of
the book, sat looking blankly into the open fire. For. a brief space no
one moved until the baronet withdrew his eyes and, with a sudden start
of recollection, felt anxiously for his watch. He scanned its face eagerly,
and scrambled to his feet.
The voice of the American instantly broke the silence in a high,
nervous accent.
"And yet Sherlock Holmes himself," he cried, "could not decipher the
mystery which to-night baffles the police of London."
At these unexpected words, which carried in them something of the
tone of a challenge, the gentlemen about the table started as suddenly as
though the American had fired a pistol in the air, and Sir Andrew halted
abruptly and stood observing him with grave surprise.
The gentleman with the black pearl was the first to recover.
"Yes, yes," he said eagerly, throwing himself across the table. "A

mystery that baffles the police of London.
"I have heard nothing of it. Tell us at once, pray do--tell us at once."
The American flushed uncomfortably, and picked uneasily at the
tablecloth.
"No one but the police has heard of it," he murmured, "and they only
through me. It is a remarkable crime, to, which, unfortunately, I am the
only person who can bear witness. Because I am the only witness, I am,
in spite of my immunity as a diplomat, detained in London by the
authorities of Scotland Yard. My name," he said, inclining his head
politely, "is Sears, Lieutenant Ripley Sears of the United States Navy,
at present Naval Attache to the Court of Russia. Had I not been
detained to-day by the police I would have started this morning for
Petersburg."
The gentleman with the black pearl interrupted with so pronounced an
exclamation of excitement and delight that the American stammered
and ceased speaking.
"Do you hear, Sir Andrew!" cried the member of Parliament jubilantly.
"An American diplomat halted by our police because he is the only
witness of a most remarkable crime--the most remarkable crime, I
believe you said, sir," he added, bending eagerly toward the naval
officer, "which has occurred in London in many years."
The American moved his head in assent and glanced at the two other
members. They were looking doubtfully at him, and the face of each
showed that he was greatly perplexed.
Sir Andrew advanced to within the light of the candles and drew