'Mr.Knopf has a brother, Mr.Emile Knopf, to whom he is very much attached, and who is a great invalid.

He generally goes about from one seaside place to another.

He is now at Brighton, and has recently been very ill.
"'If you will take the trouble to go downstairs I think you will still find the letter lying on the hall table.
"'I read it after Mr.Knopf left; it was not from his brother, but from a gentleman who signed himself J.Collins, M.D.I don't remember the exact words, but, of course, you'll be able to read the letter--Mr.J.
Collins said he had been called in very suddenly to see Mr.Emile Knopf, who, he added, had not many hours to live, and had begged of the doctor to communicate at once with his brother in London.
"'Before leaving, Mr.Knopf warned me that there were some valuables in his desk--diamonds mostly, and told me to be particularly careful about locking up the house.

He often has left me like this in charge of his premises, and usually there have been diamonds in his desk, for Mr.
Knopf has no regular City office as he is a commercial traveller.' "This, briefly, was the gist of the matter which Robertson related to the inspector with many repetitions and persistent volubility.
"The detective and inspector, before returning to the station with their report, thought they would call at No.

26, on Mr.Shipman, the great jeweller.
"You remember, of course," added the man in the corner, dreamily contemplating his bit of string, "the exciting developments of this extraordinary case.