The Great Game by Michael Kurland Page B

"but I most humbly apologize for the interruption. Now, let us return to the matter at hand. An extensive article by you concerning the habits, manners, and abilities of Mr. Holmes would be welcome. I think something of his history, also, should be included. Where he went to school; how he developed these marvelous deductive powers for which he has become so justly noted; his relationship with Professor Moriarty—"
     
                  "His what?"
     
                  "His relationship with Professor James Moriarty, author of The Dynamics of an Asteroid, and a well-regarded monograph on the binomial theorum. Surely his association with such a distinguished scientist must have had some impact on Mr. Holmes's own theories and techniques."
     
                  "I couldn't say," Barnett replied.
     
                  "Come now, it is well known that you, yourself, are an associate of Professor Moriarty."
     
                  "I have the honor to be his friend," Barnett replied, "but I know nothing of his work. I am not a scientist." He stood up. "I regret to have wasted your time, Signor Kasper, but I am afraid I cannot take a commission from the Staatlicher Ü berblicken at this time."
     
                  Kasper pushed himself to his feet. "On the contrary," he said, "if that is the case, then it is I who have wasted your time. I wish you good day." He nodded to Cecily and stalked firmly off down the aisle.
     
                  "Of all the nerve," Barnett muttered. "I am impressed with that man's gall!"
     
                  "I am impressed with his information," Cecily said. "It's not exactly public knowledge that Mr. Holmes ever had anything to do with Professor Moriarty, or that you are an associate of the professor or know Mr. Holmes. Dr. Watson never mentions it in any of his case histories."
     
                  "That's true," Barnett admitted. "Holmes once asked Watson, in my presence, not to mention the professor until Holmes had apprehended him for some major crime. Which is a good example of the state of their 'relationship. ' And, as that has never happened—"
     
                  Cecily stood up. "I'm tired," she said. "Let's return to the compartment."
     
                  "Are you still mad at me?" Barnett asked.
     
                  "No. I'm no longer angry. Do you grant me that there was something odd about the confrontation we just had?"
     
                  "How could I deny it?" Barnett said.
     
                  They went back to their compartment and settled down, Cecily to her Baedeker and Benjamin to staring out the window at the passing hillsides. After a while Cecily put down the book and began rummaging through her traveling bag.
     
                  "It is a puzzle," Barnett said after a while. "I wish Professor Moriarty were here. He enjoys puzzles."
     
                  "Benjamin!"
     
                  "What is it, Dove?"
     
                  Cecily put the bag on the seat beside her and took a deep breath. "Somebody has gone through my traveling bag. "
     
                  " Gone through? You mean searched?"
     
                  "Yes. Somebody has been pawing about my personal belongings." She shuddered. "It makes my skin crawl to think of it. "
     
                  " Is anything missing? "
     
                  " No. I don't think so. "
     
                  " But you're sure?"
     
                  "I can tell. The bag has been rearranged. I am sure." She got up and pulled the large leather portmanteau from the shelf.
     
                  Benjamin caught her and the bag as she staggered back with it. "Here," he said, "let me." They put the bag on the opposite seat and opened it together, undoing the straps and unlocking the small