With the Armistice bringing an end to the European tragedy of late, and with it the demise of the Austro-Hungarian empire, I am only now permitted by my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to record those events surrounding the theft of the Crown Jewels of Hungary, which so astonished the world almost twenty years ago, and gravely unsettled so many of the crowned heads of the Continent.
I see by my notes that the summer of 1899 was quite a busy one for Sherlock Holmes. My more devoted readers will recall that it was this summer which began with Holmes bringing to such a successful conclusion the baffling case of the Camberwell Farrier, and ended with the horrible business of the Three Spanish Doubloons, which cost one elderly vicar his reason and very nearly cost me my left hand. Sandwiched between these cases were the events recorded here for the first time.
Mrs. Watson had gone to her sister in Wales, to assist in the birth of our nephew, leaving me a temporary bachelor for most of the month of August. I was quite relieved, therefore, when, within hours of my wife’s departure, a telegram arrived from Holmes requesting my presence at our old quarters on Baker Street. My practice had been slow, of late, and I quickly arranged for Dr. Jamieson to take on the few patients I did have. Within the hour I was once again in the familiar chair before the fireplace, my friend seated opposite me, filling his pipe with tobacco from the Persian slipper on the mantelpiece.
“I trust I have not unduly inconvenienced you, Watson,” said he. “But as your wife is out of town, I know you will welcome the chance to join your old friend for another of those little problems in deduction which you so delight in inflicting upon your unsuspecting readers.”
“I’m quite glad to be here, if you think my presence will be of some assistance,” said I. “But how did you know my wife was away? Your telegram must have been dispatched before she left for the station and didn’t even reach me until shortly after she left.”
Holmes laughed. “My dear fellow, when I see that you have left the house with your hat unbrushed and your coat pocket bereft of a pocket handkerchief, while your carefully shined boots and general demeanor indicate a happily married man, it is obvious your wife was not there to prevent your leaving the house in so slipshod a fashion. But we haven’t much time to spare. Pray, do have your notebook handy, Watson. Our illustrious visitors will be here any minute. Indeed, unless I am very much mistaken, I believe I hear their carriage arriving even now.”
I went to the window and peered out just as a well-appointed brougham in black lacquer rolled to a stop at our door. Its curtains were drawn on all sides and I could see little of the two men who emerged, save their finely tailored attire and top hats of good quality. A minute passed before Mrs. Hudson opened the door to the parlor and announced our guests.