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169 



" 'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let me have 200 
pounds?' 

" 'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too generous with you in 
money matters.' 

" 'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, or else I can 
never show my face inside the club again.' 
" 'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. 

" 'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' said he. 'I could 
not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in some way, and if you will not let 
me have it, then I must try other means.' 

"I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the month. 'You shall 
not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which he bowed and left the room without 
another word. 

"When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my treasure was 
safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go round the house to see that all was 
secure — a duty which I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform 
myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself at the side window 
of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I approached. 

" 'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little disturbed, 'did you give 
Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to-night?' 

" 'Certainly not.' 

" 'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she has only 
been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that it is hardly safe and should be 
stopped.' 

" 'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer it. Are you sure 
that everything is fastened?' 
" 'Quite sure, dad.' 

" 'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom again, where 
I was soon asleep. 

"I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have any 
bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me upon any point which 
I do not make clear." 

"On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." 

"I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be particularly 
so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind tended, no doubt, to 
make me even less so than usual. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened 
by some sound in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left 
an impression behind it as though a window had gently closed somewhere. I lay 
listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my horror, there was a distinct sound of 
footsteps moving softly in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with 
fear, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. 

"'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you touch that 
coronet?' 



ADVENTURE XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET