Sherlock Holmes and the Golden Bird

good grace. My friend seemed to consider Chu San Fu and his extensive criminal organization as a snake whose fangs had been removed. Why he adopted this casual atitude I could not fathom.

It was the following morning that we were honored by a visit of the royal jeweler, Edwin Streeter. He was a tidy man of medium size with keen eyes and a businesslike manner. Obviously, he had been informed by Wakefield Orloff that the great detective required his knowledge of famous gems to solve a case of importance. He did not impress me as a waster of time.

'Tell me, Mr. Holmes, in what area does your interest lie?' he asked, immediately, after introductions. 'Mr. Orloff indicated that it is diamonds that have caught your fancy.'

'A large field, as Doctor Bauer informed me. However ...'

Our visitor bristled. 'If you have consulted with Bauer, you have little need of me, sir. He is one of the foremost authorities in the world.'

'As you are. I have read your Precious Stones and Gems with great interest. I consider any book that can intrigue and inform one who is not versed in the field has the quality of lasting greatness.'

Streeter's brusque manner vanished. 'You are most kind, Mr. Holmes. Though I would think that in your profession a knowledge of gems would be automatic.'

'A surface knowledge,' agreed Holmes. 'I find the present problem far beyond my resources and am most grateful that the government has prevailed upon you to come to my assistance.'

It crossed my mind that Holmes had put the gentleman in a bit of a bind. By linking Her Majesty's government and Streeter's expertise, and the need of same for an undisclosed reason, he had put the royal jeweler on the spot as far as cooperation was concerned. However, this was probably unnecessary. Speak to the expert of his field and he instantly opens his book of knowledge, if only to prove why he is an expert.

'I am much interested in a famous gem, one of undisputed quality, which has disappeared. Does this suggest something to you?'

Holmes's question undoubtedly intrigued the royal jeweler.

'Mr. Holmes, men have died for diamonds. Wars have been fought over diamonds. But very few of the great diamonds just disappear. There was a famous theft in 1792 of three of the crown jewels of France. One of them, the Regent, was recovered and later adorned the sword of Napoleon. It is in the Louvre. The second, the Sancy, was also recovered.'

'Yes,' commented Holmes. 'I am familiar with that stone.'

'The last of the trio was a rare blue diamond. It surfaced again, but it had been cut. The larger portion is now known as the Hope Diamond. It is in America. The smaller portion has been lost track of, but it would not be considered a major stone in any case.'

Holmes mulled over the expert's words for a brief moment and then embarked on a different tack. 'In my research in the field, I am confused on one point.'

Streeter smiled. 'Mr. Holmes, historic diamonds have been a favorite subject for writers for a century or more. So much has been written that what is truth and what is fiction is sometimes hard to determine.'

'The Pasha of Egypt diamond came to my attention,' said Holmes. 'I note that it was sold to the Viceroy of Egypt'

Streeter was nodding. 'Fetched a good price, too. A fine octagonal brilliant of forty carats.'

'Yet I note a strange similarity relative to another gem, the Pigott Diamond.' Holmes referred to a book open on the desk. 'The Pigott Diamond was disposed of to Ali Pasha, the Viceroy of Egypt. All trace of this stone has since been lost and, according to reports, it has been destroyed.'

Streeter almost bounced up and down in his chair. Obviously, Holmes had touched a nerve.

'That information is printed in several authoritative texts, but is incorrect. The confusion is due to names. Mr. Holmes. I might better say: titles. The Pasha of Egypt Diamond was, indeed, sold to Ibrahim, Viceroy of Egypt. He held the title of Ali Pasha. But the Pigott— that is another matter. Fortunately, sir, I happen to be the leading authority in the world on that stone.'

'And many others as well,' said Holmes, diplomatically. 'But do tell us about the Pigott and the confusion in recognized texts on famous stones.'

Streeter was delighted to comply. 'The stone got its name from Lord George Pigott, twice Governor of Madras. Though his name has a single t, the diamond is known as the Pigott with a double t. But that is of scant interest. Lord Pigot received it as a gift from an Indian ruler in 1763. They did things rather in the grand manner in those days. The diamond has been described as anywhere from forty-five to eighty-five carats. In any case, Lord Pigot brought it to England and undoubtedly regretted it since he was plagued by ill fortune and died in prison. Later, his family put the diamond up as a prize in a lottery and it is sometimes referred to as the 'lottery diamond.' It was sold for a mere fraction of its worth—six thousand pounds—to Rundell and Bridge, the London Jewelers. They turned a nice profit by selling the diamond to Ali Pasha of Albania for one hundred and fifty thousand pounds.'

'I see,' said Holmes, 'where the confusion lies. The title of Ali Pasha has thrown researchers off the track.'

'Exactly,' agreed Streeter. 'The Albanian Ali Pasha was a ruler of some historical significance. Known as the tyrannical 'Lion of Janina,' he wielded such power that the Sultan of Turkey sent an emissary to bring him back to Constantinople to curb his excessive ambition. Ali Pasha resisted and there was an exchange and he was fatally wounded. The Lion of Janina requested permission to die in his own throne room, in his own fashion, and this wish was granted.'

At this point in his narration, Streeter almost preened himself. 'Now, Mr. Holmes, I can give you information that is not common knowledge at all. As the eighty-year-old Pasha lay dying, he summoned a trusted soldier of fortune, Captain D'Anglas . . .'

'D'Anglas?' I asked. Holmes looked at me with irritation and I subsided.

Streeter continued as though he had not heard me. 'The Pasha ordered his aide to destroy his two most precious possessions: the Pigott Diamond and his wife, Vasilikee. Captain D'Anglas crushed the diamond before the Pasha's eyes and he died. According to legend, his wife was not killed by the French mercenary.'

'You say 'according to legend,' ' . said Holmes, thoughtfully. 'If the Pasha's wife survived, might not the diamond have as well?'

'This was in 1822, Mr. Holmes. Since that time there has been no trace of the Pigott.'

At Streeter's mention of 1822, Holmes threw me a knowing glance. His eyes then returned to the crown jeweler.

'How is so much known about the stone?'

Streeter was amused by Holmes's question. 'Man's obsession with great diamonds is nothing new, Mr. Holmes. The Pigott was well-known. Lord Pigot acquired it in 1763. He died in 1777 and his family disposed of it via the lottery in 1801. At one tune it was owned by Madame Bonaparte, the mother of Napoleon. There is a model of the stone which was made here in England and still exists. It was an oval-shaped gem of the finest quality.'

As he had been recounting the history of this famous gem, Streeter had been observing Holmes's manner.

'Do I sense that this is the information you are searching for?' he asked.

'You have certainly opened up avenues of thought,' replied the sleuth. 'Let us pose a hypothetical situation. Let us say the Pigott still exists. Who would it belong to?'

'To whomever holds it in his hand, Mr. Holmes.'

'But it would be recognized?'

'A stone of that quality could not be ignored. We are speaking of one of the great diamonds of the world. An expert would immediately identify it by its shape and size. But proving it is another thing. Why, sir, if you had it, you could wear it on your watch fob and no one could say you nay.'

Holmes had secured the information he wished. Soon thereafter, the crown jeweler took his leave. Of course, I was bursting with ideas.

'I say, Holmes, you struck a rich vein there! And the name of the French mercenary in the employ of the Ali Pasha ...'

'D'Anglas—the same name as our client.' Holmes had the satisfied look of a cat who had consumed cream. 'D'Anglas's grandfather served the Albanian but did not follow his dying orders. The Frenchman had the Pigott and