As fast as I could, I climbed into the cab only to be thrown backwards as Holmes hammered upon the roof of the cab to encourage the cabbie to begin his journey. As we neared Liverpool Street Station, I could see that Holmes’ eyes were burning like coals. Barely had the cab stopped when Holmes ran from the cab leaving me to toss the cabbie a shilling. By the time I had caught up with him, he had already asked directions to the siding which housed the carriage and was again beckoning me to follow.
Whilst Holmes ran ahead, I could only manage a brisk walking pace. My wounds from my service in India continued to take a toll on my fitness. Arriving at the carriage, I had to lean against it whilst I regained my breath. Holmes was keen to begin his examination but seeing my distress seemed to have a steadying effect upon him.
Holmes patted my arm, saying, "I'm sorry, Watson. I have allowed my enthusiasm to overshadow my duty as a friend. Rest a moment."
A minute or so had now passed and I was, for the most part, recovered. I shook my head, saying, "No, no... continue, Holmes. I am now refreshed."
Holmes smiled and half turned the dull, brass handle that opened the door to the carriage. Once inside, I was surprised by how little light there was. I then realised that, of course, for security, there were no windows. The only light came from tiny panes of glass set high in the raised section of the roof. However, after thirty seconds or so, our eyes had become adjusted to the gloom. Holmes made his way through the carriage, passing through two stout doors which had, in turn, iron bands and fixings for added strength. At last we were in the section of the carriage which contained a large, black painted, iron safe. It was positioned against the wall and was bolted securely to both the wall and the floor. The door, I could see, had two separate keyholes, each edged in gilt paint. The gold lettering upon the door proudly announced the safe to be the product of ‘The Imperial & Colonial Safe Company'. From the centre of the door protruded a large, brass knob in the form of a fist holding a metal bar.
Holmes had taken out his glass and was closely examining the safe. "Yes, without the keys, opening this safe undetected, would have been indeed problematical." Looking about him, Holmes suddenly dropped onto all fours. "Hello, what have we here?" Reaching into his waistcoat pocket, Holmes took out his Vesta case and struck a match. Holding the match before him, he reached down and picked up a tiny object that had seemingly become lodged between the safe and the wooden floorboards.
Craning my neck, I asked, "What is it? Holmes"
Holmes smiled and blew out the match, saying, "I believe it would be better if we were to move more into the daylight, Watson, before I can confirm my find."
With that, we retraced our steps and soon stood once more outside the carriage. Holmes held out his hand and in his palm was what appeared to be a small, round bead. I was still no wiser, asking, "How is this bead important, Holmes?"
Holmes took a small envelope from his coat pocket and placed the item carefully within it. "I believe that it is immensely important, Watson. It tells me why the robbery has not, as yet, been detected. Tell me, Watson. Which metal is similar in weight to gold?"
I did not hesitate, saying, "Lead... it is a piece of lead shot!"
Holmes nodded. "Quite so. The thieves would have brought with them weighing scales and sufficient lead shot to match the weight of the gold. Once the safe was opened with the duplicate keys, the gold would have been removed, weighed and then the equivalent weight of shot measured out." Holmes patted his coat pocket, saying, "This small piece of shot must have been lost during the weighing process. I must send a telegram to Mycroft to determine whether the supposed gold has left for South Africa."
With that, Holmes and I hastened back to the station where a telegram was urgently despatched to Mycroft. With little further to be done and, after my morning's exercise, I was looking forwards to a hearty luncheon and a little respite back at Baker Street.
It was early afternoon before we received a reply from Mycroft. Fortunately for His Majesty's Government, the ship had not yet sailed. The small wooden boxes which should have contained the sovereigns had been removed from the Purser's safe and opened to reveal their contents. As we had feared, they were filled with lead shot. The Government had lost the gold but had avoided the supreme embarrassment that would have ensued had the substitution only been discovered once the ship had docked in Durban.
Holmes was sitting back in his chair, deep in thought. "You know, Watson, this theft had been planned meticulously. The lead shot must have been loaded onto the train as goods in order for it to travel in the secure carriage. During the journey it would have been opened, weighed out and exchanged for the gold."
I considered this for a moment before asking, "What of Tindall? Do you believe that he was involved in this?"
Holmes’ eyes narrowed. "I think probably not. The thieves would want to conceal their activities from him so he was probably made to leave the carriage whilst they opened the safe and made the exchange." Holmes paused, his forefinger now against his lips. "I believe, Watson, that now is the time to have a further conversation with Mr Tindall for he has become the key to this case."