After arriving at Oakley Street, Basil, Dawson, and Rosa were greeted by the butler who led them into the drawing room, where Clifford sat on the couch. Clifford had the same color markings as Basil, but he was much larger and stouter. He had a gray moustache and eyebrows. He wore the same green tie as Basil, but he wore a black waistcoat with a light green suit and dark green pants and gray shoes.
Clifford: I see you've arrived, dear brother. And I see you've brought company.
Basil: This is my associate and biographer, Dr. Dawson.
Dawson: Pleased to me-
The moment he shook hands with Clifford, Dawson found that Clifford's muscles were so rigid and stiff that they hurt his hand.
Clifford: Likewise, Dr. Dawson.
Basil: (whispers to Dawson) The reason his muscles are so rigid and stiff is because he always sits in his chair at the Club. He hardly gets out of his chair.
Clifford: And who is the young lady?
Basil: This is our client, Miss Rosa Spellcove.
Clifford: (kisses Rosa's hand) A pleasure, dear girl.
Rosa: Thank you.
Basil: What brings you to the home of the Duchess of Mousemouth?
Clifford: I have been an old friend of Sir Evens Jarndyce for years, and he has been acquainted with the Duchess. It appears that two robberies have occurred, the House of Commons ceremonial mace and the Duchess' necklace have been stolen.
Dawson: Both robberies in one day?
Rosa: Don't forget my portrait of Lady Caroline.
Basil: That really is peculiar, all three rare items stolen. A portrait, a necklace, and a mace. But when did this happen?
Clifford: Last night.
Basil: Why, that's exactly the night the portrait was stolen from the Royal Academy!
Dawson: But why would our mystery thief steal a necklace and a mace?
Sir Evens: That's exactly what I want to know.
The voice came from an open door, and there stood two dignified looking mice. The Duchess was a gray mouse with an elegant white dress with blue lining and pink puffed sleeves, and wore a white hat with a large pink bow. Sir Evens wore a black cap with a red uniform with some medals on the front, and he had a white moustache and muttonchops on his face.
Sir Evens: Good of you to come gentlemen. The Duchess has been out of her wit when she discovered her prized piece of jewelry was-
He was interrupted when the Duchess blew her nose on her handkerchief, very loudly. It startled everyone in the room.
Sir Evens: Ahem! As I was saying, the head of the House of Commons has contacted the police about this matter, but Inspector Lawless has found nothing. So the Duchess and I knew it would be best if we contacted you.
Basil: Well Sir Evens, I cannot think you have any particular reason for uneasiness, and you know that I have other things that engage me. This young lady has had her portrait stolen from the Royal Academy.
Dawson: But Basil, the theft of a valuable necklace and a mace are surely some interest.
Rosa: And remember what I said back at Baker Street? It could be connected to my case.
Duchess: Yes sir. If you remember, you helped solve a case for Sir Evens a month ago. Sir Evens never stopped talking of your kindness. How you brought light into the darkness.
Sir Evens blushed when the Duchess mentioned how he never stopped talking about Basil. And Basil gave a small smile when Sir Evens talked of his kindness.
Sir Evens: It was actually my idea to have the lady consult you, Mr. Basil. I remember the time you cleared my name when a rival of mine tried to ruin my name. But thanks to you, my name has become a respectable one.
Basil: Very well. Let us hear the facts.
Duchess: It happened last night. I was sleeping peacefully in my bed when I heard something break. I woke up and there stood the fiend, holding my necklace. When he looked at me….oh, that face! It was terrifying! He had yellow eyes and sharp teeth, he gave me the most hideous smile I've ever seen! I shall never get that face out of mind!
She began to cry and she slumped onto her couch, sobbing.
Sir Evens: Somebody cope with her.
Basil gently laid a hand on the Duchess' shoulder and spoke with words of reassurance to her.
Basil: Your Grace, you must not stress yourself. Calmly tell me what the thief looked like besides his eyes and teeth.
The Duchess nodded and she calmed down. Rosa was amazed at how Basil could calm someone with just one touch or a soft word spoken. She had never seen him this polite to a woman before.
Duchess: It was very dark and I could hardly see what he was, except that his body resembled a bat.
Hearing the word 'bat,' Basil's eyes widened.
Basil: A bat you say?
Duchess: Yes.
Basil: Did the bat have a broken wing and a peg leg?
Duchess: I'm not sure about the broken wing, but he did have a peg leg.
Basil: Aha! It's Fidget!
Clifford: You serious? That little ugly, one legged fiend?
Basil: There can be doubt! Her description of him, and the evidence we found at the Royal Academy, it all points to Fidget!
Rosa: (to herself) Why is Fidget stealing a necklace and a mace? That wasn't part of the plan.
Sir Evens: Who is this Fidget?
Clifford: He was the henchman of the late Professor Ratigan.
Duchess: Ratigan? Do you think that sewer rat could be the one behind the theft?
Rosa: (quietly) How dare you call papa a sewer rat, you vile, old-
Duchess: I beg your pardon?
Rosa: Eh, I said I think it would be impossible for him to be behind the robbery. He's dead, right?
Clifford: I must agree with Miss Spellcove. Ratigan is dead, dear brother. Maybe it's someone else behind the robberies.
Basil: I know that, but I know that this bat Her Grace has described is Fidget. There's no doubt about that. (gasps) Then it could be….yes! Of course!
Dawson: What is it?
Basil: Dawson, a word.
He lectured Dawson into the hall to speak with him privately. Rosa leaned against the door to listen to their conversation.
Basil: I think I have it, old man! The prisoners escape, the theft of the portrait, the necklace, and the mace, it's all part of Captain Doran's scheme!
Dawson: You think Doran organized those robberies?
Basil: Exactly! Doran helped the prisoners escape from prison days ago. And then, a young lady shows up reporting a stolen painting, then my brother contacts me about the Duchess' missing necklace and a stolen mace. Then Doran rescues Fidget from the Thames, hires him to work for him, and has him steal all those valuable things as part of a revenge plot for the loss of his employer.
Dawson: Employer?
Basil: Dawson, you must really learn to pay attention. Doran's employer is the leader of that charming criminal organization who has fallen from Big Ben.
Dawson: Oh, I see!
Rosa: (sighs with relief) Basil doesn't know who the real employer is, thank goodness.
Sir Evens: Something wrong, dear girl?
Rosa: Huh? Oh, no. Nothing's wrong. I'm just worried about Mr. Basil and Dr. Dawson.
Duchess: Do you think he might be on to something?
Clifford: If I know my brother, I say he's come up with a solution.
Duchess: Tell me child. What is it that you do that interests Mr. Basil in your case?
Rosa: I'm an artist. I painted a portrait of Lady Caroline and it was on loan at the Royal Academy until it was stolen.
Clifford: The Lady Caroline? I've met once while meeting with the Prime Minister. A most attractive lady indeed. I think he seems to fancy her, but she has rejected him.
Rosa: (quietly) I can understand why.
Sir Evens: I've seen that portrait before at the Royal Academy. I must say, it was quite fascinating. For a young lady, you have quite a talent.
Rosa: (blushes) Oh. Well, thank you.
The Duchess began to cry again.
Duchess: What if I never get my necklace back? It is the only thing I have left of my mother! It is very precious to me!
When she heard this, Rosa's eyes widened. This was exactly how she felt over her father's death. And the only thing she had left of him was that little gold bell he always kept, which now resides at Baker Street. Rosa now felt guilty for nearly calling the Duchess a bad name, so she sat next to her to try and comfort her.
Rosa: Your Grace, you must not fear the worst. You must have faith that your mama's necklace will return to you as soon as possible. I'm sure of it.
Duchess: (hugs Rosa) Oh, bless your sweet face and kind heart, dear girl.
Basil and Dawson had just come back into the drawing room when they saw Rosa and the Duchess hugging, and they smiled.
Sir Evens: Have you come to any conclusions, Mr. Basil?
Basil: I have, but I must speak of it, for I don't wish to upset the Duchess.
Sir Evens: I see.
Basil: I have examined the Duchess' bedroom and found that the window was again used by a glass cutter. Fidget used it at the Royal Academy when he stole the painting. And I presume he made the same hole in a window at the House of Commons when the mace was stolen.
Sir Evens: Yes, we have seen such a hole in the window.
Clifford: But what will you be doing, Basil?
Basil: I'll explain later when you meet me again, with the missing mace and necklace, and the portrait. Come Dawson, Miss Spellcove, we must return to Baker street.