There comes a point where there is only one thing you can do ...
18th May: After sleeping on the matter I had almost put Gibson's concerns down as a jest in poor taste when in the evening he came into the Study, once more in agitation.
"Another letter?"
"Yes Sir."
"Then let me see it, man."
He passed it to me; the same as before, just the word 'GIBSON' on the envelope. It was unopened, so those honours fell to me.
"'Ten thousand pounds, or the master's life.' Right, I have had enough of this. We need to inform the Police of this matter. This has moved beyond empty taunts."
"No Sir, please, not the Police."
"Why not?"
"There is some history between us."
I admit to some astonishment at this news. "You did not tell me this at your appointment."
"It was nothing serious, Sir, you must understand. There was … a lady I had the misfortune to encounter during my service with Lord and Lady Hevellyn. She had been abandoned by a lover, she said, and was with child. I had helped her after she had lost everything, but she then accused me of a crime of which I assure you I was entirely innocent. It was only after she herself disappeared that the case was dropped. But the Inspector told me that I was going to be observed from then on."
"When was this?"
"Just before I came here, Sir."
I considered this for a moment.
Looking at my journal with the benefit of hindsight, was the decision I came to at that moment the right one? I certainly thought so at the time.
"Very well, we will not go to the Police. But I am most disappointed in you. No secrets from now, you understand?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Very well. We must get to the bottom of this matter, Gibson."
"If you are insistent, Sir, I do have a suggestion."
"Out with it man."
"There is a private detective who may be able to assist."
"Only if you are sure he will be able to handle this with tact."
"I am sure he will Sir. As you know I am a Member of Drake's Club in Mayfair. You understand the nature of these establishments, what with you being a member of Dulcet's yourself. We gentlemen of service meet to socialise and … if I may describe it tastefully Sir, discuss the whims and notions of those we serve."
My reply was probably colder than necessary. "I see. I trust you paint me in a good light."
"Of course, Sir, I hold you in high regard."
"Well …?"
"Sir Archibald's man told me of a situation in which this detective was a great help in solving. He works – differently – than others of similar persuasion. I believe the way out of this lies with that person."
"His name?" I thought I knew, and thus it was no surprise when it came.
"Sherlock Holmes, Sir."