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the
sleuth, "but it is common for those
of the Buddhist faith to carry an image of their god
with them."
    He sprang to his feet crossing to
the bookshelf. "I believe
we have a lead here."
    Holmes subscribed to a number of
periodicals of a specialized nature, and I noted that he selected the
latest "Lloyds'
Shipping Guide" from a shelf. As Gilligan and I
exchanged puzzled glances, my friend leafed rapidly through
the pages, then read intently for a moment be fore
turning to us with a triumphant smile.
    "This tells a story. Asian
Star out of Hong
Kong. Ports of call:
Colombo, Alexandria, Constantinople, Trieste,
Venice, Lisbon, and London. Constantinople is the
clue, of course, since it was the last-known locale of the
Golden Bird until it appeared here in London."
    "You associate a common
seaman with the theft of the
Bird?" I fear my voice and expression registered disbelief, a
fact that did not bother Holmes.
    "My dear Watson,
reproductions of the god Buddha can
be considerable size. Being a religious piece, it would
arouse no suspicions, especially from customs. But
suppose within this Buddha figure was the rela tively
small Golden Bird?" "
    Holmes's logic had an immediate
appeal. "Of course, the
Oriental seaman was but the means to bring the Bird
into this country." Then another thought forced it self
upon me. "But what is the significance of the China man,
especially since Dowson's gaming house suffered a
full-scale attack from Orientals?"
    "Let us construct a
hypothetical situation," said Holmes,
rather smugly I thought, "though I'll wager it turns
out to be very close to the truth. The Golden Bird was stolen in
Constantinople at the same time that the Asian
Star was in
port. The Bird, secreted within the Buddha, came by sea, a trip that
would require consid erable
time. We must assume that the robbery was engi neered
by an Oriental or someone who employs Orien tals.
When the Asian
Star arrives in
Southhampton, another factor is introduced. The messenger is
mur dered and
the Buddha disappears."
    "Dowson's gang," I
exclaimed.
    "Employed by someone else,
also after the art ob ject."
    "The man with the lisp?"
    Even the imperturbable Gilligan
registered surprise at this remark of mine.
    "I doubt it," responded
Sherlock Holmes. "I rather picture
him as an emissary. He was in Dowson's head quarters
with a large sum of money and the possibility of
double-dealing is to be considered. As an employee, if
mischance befell him Dowson and his crew would be open
to retaliation. But that's is not of importance. What
does seem obvious is that the original instigator of the
robbery in Constantinople learned that it was Dowson's gang that
had hijacked the Bird. Hence, the attack on
Dowson's establishment."
    "You've got it, Holmes,"
I stated with pride. "Two gangs
are involved in this affair."
    "There's little doubt about
that," admitted my friend. "But
again the haunting question. Such elaborate mach inations.
So much planning and manpower involved. Why?
I will admit that twenty-five inches or so of solid gold is worth a
tidy sum, but surely not enough to war rant
the efforts so far expended. Dowson's organization is for hire but
they command a heavy price."
    Remembering the valise full of
currency on the Baron's
desk, I could well agree with that statement.
    Holmes continued and I sensed his
mercurial brain was
racing ahead of his words.
    "It was a small scale war we
were involved in tonight. Surely
there were thirty or so Orientals in action. The whole
affair was much more reminiscent of an Ameri can
criminal conflict than anything we are familiar with in
England. What is the unknown value of this product of
an ancient goldsmith's art that prompts such ac tions?"
    "Could the Golden Bird have
some religious signifi cance?"
I guessed, somewhat desperately.
    Holmes registered a negative. "To
my knowledge, the roc
is simply a figure in mythology and plays no part in an
organized religious movement. No, Watson, we are faced
with a problem here