“Ah!” said the Englishman, in surprise, “but ... you refused ... for yourself——”
“Yes, I can look out for myself, Monsieur Sholmes, but now the question concerns a young woman ... and a woman I love. In France, understand, we have very decided ideas about such things. And Lupin has the same feelings as other people.”
He spoke with simplicity and candor. Sholmes replied by an almost imperceptible inclination of his head, and murmured:
“Very well, the blue diamond.”
“Take my cane, there, at the end of the mantel. Press on the head of the cane with one hand, and, with the other, turn the iron ferrule at the bottom.”
Holmes took the cane and followed the directions. As he did so, the head of the cane divided and disclosed a cavity which contained a small ball of wax which, in turn, enclosed a diamond. He examined it. It was the blue diamond.
“Monsieur Lupin, Mademoiselle Destange is free.”
“Is her future safety assured? Has she nothing to fear from you?”
“Neither from me, nor anyone else.”
“How can you manage it?”