They left no stone
unturned in the pursuit of a criminal; no detail, however trifling,
uncared for. No more should we in the present instance overlook the
minutest bit of evidence, however irrelevant and absurd at first blush it
may appear to be. The truth of what I say was very effectually proven in
the strange case of the Brokedale tiara, in which I figured somewhat
conspicuously, but which I have never made public, because it involves a
secret affecting the integrity of one of the noblest families in the
British Empire. I really believe that mystery was solved easily and at
once because I happened to remember that the number of my watch was
86507B. How trivial a thing, and yet how important it was, as the event
transpired, you will realize when I tell you the incident."
The stranger's manner was so impressive that there was a unanimous and
simultaneous movement upon the part of all present to get up closer, so as
the more readily to hear what he said, as a result of which poor old
Boswell was pushed overboard, and fell with a loud splash into the Styx.
Fortunately, however, one of Charon's pleasure-boats was close at hand,
and in a short while the dripping, sputtering spirit was drawn into it,
wrung out, and sent home to dry. The excitement attending this diversion
having subsided, Solomon asked:
"What was the incident of the lost tiara?"
[Illustration: "POOR OLD BOSWELL WAS PUSHED OVERBOARD"]
"I am about to tell you," returned the stranger; "and it must be
understood that you are told in the strictest confidence, for, as I say,
the incident involves a state secret of great magnitude.
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