Promptly, at half past eleven the next morning, the sound of a Hansom pulling up to our door in the street below and a familiar tread on the stairs announced the arrival of Mycroft Holmes. A few moments later, Mycroft swept in, quickly depositing his coat and hat before settling into a chair.
"I see that you still persist in schoolboy humour, Sherlock. Why else would you attempt to taunt me?" asked Mycroft, with no malice.
Holmes lowered his copy of 'The Times' and simply smiled, saying, "Mycroft, I cannot resist... but I do need your counsel. This matter at Liverpool Street, it has taken something of a twist. There appears to have been a robbery that has, as yet, been undetected."
Mycroft took from his case a cigar and neatly clipped the end before lighting it. He now sat back as Holmes recounted all that had occurred. At the end, Mycroft was silent for perhaps two minutes before saying, "Yes, most curious. I am indebted to you for the information regarding Moriarty, the Special Branch was convinced it was the work of anarchists. This man, Tindall, he is being held securely?"
Holmes nodded. "Yes, Lestrade has him under lock and key at Bow Street. Perhaps now is the time that we might use him to flush out Moriarty. Consider this, Mycroft. Moriarty must now be aware that the second bag has failed to explode. As such, one of the men who knows of the robbery still lives and can reveal this to the authorities. Tindall, under our guidance, can contact Moriarty with a demand for payment to ensure his silence."
I watched Mycroft as he considered Holmes’ proposition. In truth, I was concerned, saying, "Surely, this puts Tindall at considerable risk? To ensure his silence, there is but one way in her book."
Holmes nodded, saying, "Yes, but as this man is but one step from the gallows, he will, I believe, comply."
Mycroft nodded and drew on his cigar. "I have to declare an interest here, Sherlock. His Majesty's Government uses the railways as a secure way to transport gold bullion. However, I am unaware of any such movement during the week leading up to the presumed robbery." Mycroft paused, saying, almost to himself, "That is something that I must determine once back in Whitehall."
Rising from his chair and donning his coat and hat, Mycroft addressed his brother. "Keep me informed regarding your plans for Tindall. In the meantime, I will make enquiries regarding any Government shipments." With a nod in my direction, Mycroft swept out of our rooms.
Holmes was now looking fixedly at some point in the distance, deep in thought. Only the occasional plume of blue smoke from his lips showed that he was, indeed, conscious. He remained thus for, perhaps, five minutes before turning to me and asking, "What might prevent a robbery from being discovered, Watson? Why was the package not found to be missing once the train had reached its destination?" Holmes took another long pull on his pipe before adding, "I believe that there must have been some form of substitution... but why has it not yet been discovered?"
I sat and thought for a few moments before saying. "Well, perhaps, for some reason, the package has yet to be opened... or perhaps it went directly into a bank vault and remains unopened."
Holmes nodded slowly, saying, "Yes, that is something that I had considered."
We took luncheon and then settled back in our chairs to read a little. The ringing of our door bell and the appearance of Mrs Hudson at our door, clutching an envelope, stirred Holmes to look up from his paper.
Mrs Hudson proffered the envelope, saying, "A government messenger brought this, sir. He said it was urgent."
Holmes leapt from his chair, thanked Mrs Hudson and then quickly tore open the envelope. Turning to me, his eyes bright, Holmes said, “Five thousand pounds in gold sovereigns, bound for Imperial troops in South Africa, was sent by train to Southampton via Liverpool Street on the eleventh. Mycroft.”
I spluttered, "Five... five thousand sovereigns! Great Heavens, Holmes!"
Holmes pursed his lips, saying, "Yes... and if indeed they have been stolen and a substitution has been made, the theft will not be discovered for several weeks, not until the ship docks in South Africa." Holmes paused for a few moments before continuing, "We must return to Liverpool Street tomorrow, Watson. I need to examine the railway carriage that contains the safe." With that, Holmes took out his silver pencil and notebook and dashed off a telegram before ringing for Mrs Hudson.
The following morning I found Holmes pacing our sitting room like a caged tiger. After a few minutes of this, I could stand no more. "Holmes, for pity's sake, desist! This constant pacing is good for neither your health nor mine!"
Holmes regarded me with an intense look, it was clear that he was in torment. He needed to be once more active and, when our doorbell rang in the hallway below, he sprang like a startled gazelle down the stairs to answer the door.
A few moments later, he returned in triumph, holding aloft a telegram, saying, "Progress, Watson! Progress! The telegram I sent last evening was to the station master at Liverpool Street asking him to locate the secure railway carriage used on the eleventh. Fortunately for us, the company keeps shunting records of the rolling stock used for each journey. The carriage that is of interest to us is in a siding close to the station."
With that, Holmes leapt towards the coat-stand, gathering his coat and hat before thundering down the stairs. I had little option but to follow, although at a somewhat gentler pace. As I closed the front door, I could see that Holmes had already hailed a Hansom and was beckoning me to join him. Impatiently, he shouted, "Come along, Watson! We must make haste!"