A Study in Starlight—Chapter Twenty-seven
Continuing this serialised novel, in which Holmes and Watson find themselves very far indeed from Victorian/Edwardian London
Mary
“Don’t think your offer isn’t appreciated, ‘Zen Holmes,” Kenji said. “I must ask, however; how much does your knowledge of the diamond trade count for when it is over three hundred years out of date?”
Sherlock di’nt look vexed by the question. “I entirely understand your concerns, Commander. I am aware, too, that unlike my friend Doctor Watson I have not availed myself of the opportunity of eight years familiarisation with the ways and mores of this century.” I di’nt look at John, sittin tward the back of the room; I knew how vexy this made him. “However, dare I set against these admitted deficiencies the fact that everyone in this community is the best part of seventy years behind the times—the times of Earth, I mean? And, to the best of my knowledge, no one else has claimed any prior acquaintance of said trade. On the one hand, therefore, we have a man with some prior knowledge, admittedly greatly out of date: on the other hand, any other potential emissary would have no prior knowledge, while their general familiarity with Earth is also significantly behindhand.”
He looked at Kenji, at Kaivai, at me. “I offer two further points in favour of my suitability for this mission. First, I am already committed to the voyage, having booked passage upon the Rangitīkei at an early opportunity. I am aware that another person or persons will be sent to represent the wider interests of Trevallan, but they will have much else to occupy their time. I have no other pressing business awaiting me and would be both able and willing to devote my endeavours fully to the matter of the diamonds.” He waved a hand at the stones lyin on the table. To me they still looked no more’n a coupla fistfuls of quartzy pebbles.
“Second, I have devoted most of the last two days to gleaning every scrap of information I can on the contemporary diamond trade. The quantity of information at one’s disposal I found, quite frankly, staggering; the skill, clearly, lies in isolating the information one really needs. This at least is not far removed from the conduct of my profession; I believe I am recorded as saying that my method is based on the observation of trifles.” Now I did look at John, and saw him give a lil nod. I guessed he ‘membered writin those words.
“It is true,” Sherlock said, “That your primary database is also obsolescent by the aforesaid sixty-eight years, but the Rangitīkei did carry significant, if not comprehensive, updates. Taking these into account, it seems that in several respects the diamond trade has changed remarkably little in those centuries. One might imagine that the cutting of the stones would now be done by lasers or some such device, perhaps in the control of a QuasI, and this indeed seems to be true for industrial diamonds; but when it comes to gem-stones great value is placed upon traditional methods. It is felt, I believe with justification, that the stone-cutter’s art is… well, that it is exactly that; an art, a creative process. I gather that art, at least, is still generally felt to be the rightful province of the human mind, rather than the machine.
“It had also crossed my mind that the process of compilation has the potential to create an effectively limitless supply of diamonds. Unlike, say, gold, the raw material is plentiful, diamonds being essentially pure carbon. However, the value of diamonds as gemstones relies heavily on the perception that each stone is unique, as well as on the aforementioned art/craft tradition.
“In keeping with this stress on tradition, other aspects of the organisation of the trade are also strikingly unchanged between the nineteenth century and the twenty-third. Antwerp was a key centre then; now it is even more the centre of gravity of the whole business is. And, just as much now as it was then, diamond-brokers stand and fall by their reputation for honest dealing… and for discretion. Two qualities which, I hardly need tell you, are exactly what we would hope for.
“Taking all this into consideration, I feel confident that, should you choose to repose your trust in me, I shall be able to justify it.”
“Thank you very much, ‘Zen Holmes,” Kenji said. He looked around the rest of the Council. “Does anyone have any additional questions…? Then shall we vote? The proposal is to appoint ‘Zen Sher—yes, ‘Zen Holmes?”
Sherlock had raised his hand. “I have a question, which might be better considered before you vote. A question, and an observation.”
“Go ahead, then.”
“If I may make the observation first… or perhaps I should call it a warning. I have examined these stones as closely as I have been able. While you have some remarkable devices for analysing their structure, interpreting the results requires a skill I do not claim. To make direct comparison with those diamonds which have previously passed through my hands, I have been reliant solely on my naked eyes and a range of magnifying lenses. Using which, I find myself moderately confident that the majority of these stones, though perhaps not all, will be deemed to be of suitable quality for gems. This is of tremendous significance for their monetary value. As I have intimated, industrial diamonds are produced partly by automated cutting from stones deemed insufficiently fine for gems, and partly by compiling, and the value of such second-grade stones is at least two orders of magnitude less than those of gem-quality. Stones of exceptional clarity, or unusual colour, or lacking in flaws, may command a further premium.
“As I say, I am confident that most of the Trevallan diamonds will be of gem quality—but I cannot say for certain. And, even if they do pass that threshold, they may be of inferior colour, or not as flawless as we might hope. It is, conversely, equally possible, that their… ah… exotic origin might result in them commanding a significant premium. My investigations so far have yielded no reference to diamonds of extraterrestrial origin. By the by, with this in mind, may I suggest, whether or not you do agree to appoint me as your representative in this matter, that steps are taken to certify the provenance of these stones beyond all possible doubt?”
“I’m sure the QuasI can supply us with the proof,” Kaivai said. He saw Sherlock lookin a bit b’mused and added, “QuasIs are considered the most reliable of witnesses.”
“They are deemed incorruptible?”
“Absolutely… but you said you had a question, too?”
“I did, and it follows logically from this discussion of value. As I have just intimated, I am hopeful that the stones will prove to be of very significant worth, but I must make it clear… one might almost say crystal-clear… that I can make no promises.” John looked s’prised; I thunk I grokked: Sherlock had just made a joke He di’nt oft do that, and I di’nt think I’d heard him make a pun afore. “However, if our hopes are fulfilled… would you wish me to realise the value of the stones immediately, or merely to relay that information to you in as timely a manner as I am able?”
I hoisted a finger, caught Kenji’s eye, got the nod. “That’s somethin we’re gonna hafta think ‘bout afore the Rangitīkei departs… but we dunno what we—I mean, whoe’er we send—are gonna be facin. I mean, rocksure, we’re gonna have some ‘xpenses while we’re there. Subsistence, gettin about, and we’re surely gonna need a good lawyer. And I dunno where we get that from.”
I saw several faces betrayin I ne’er thunk of that. “And I dunno ‘bout anybody else, but I ha’nt gotta bundle of Ares or Euros lyin around in the apt. I had money in the bank back on Mars—only I di’nt, because that was my original’s account, and I guess it went to Zuri. Aurel’s offered me veir account—if…“ I stopped. I’d prob’ly showed my hand, but I di’nt want to say it aloud just yet. “Ve says she herited a chunk from my original so why should’n I have it, but I dunno if I’m comftable with that. Ve’s only been here a coupla weeks; ve says ve wants to stay, but ve might change veir mind.” I gave ‘em a big grin. “Tellya, there’s been a coupla times in the last fifteen years I’d’a taken a fast ship out if I coulda got one.
“So I’m thinkin I’d take veir money as a loan for our subsistence on Earth, but if we could get somethin from the stones instead, we should. I dunno, I’m guessin if they’re prop’ly valu’ble that’d mayhaps only mean sellin one or two; we could hang on to the rest. But you—the Council—would hafta leave that to the discretion of… let’s say ‘Zen Holmes, plus whoe’er you agree should go as the main emissary.”
Kenji gave me a perspicious look. “It sounds to me, Commander, very much as if you’re volunteering for that position.”
Yem, I thunk, showed my hand. Oh, well. “I might be p’suaded, put it thusly.”
“Well, let’s get to that very soon… but we still need to vote on ‘Zen Holmes’s offer. How do we feel now?”
“He talks a lot of sense, seems to me,” Belkis Varian said. Sev’ral voices murmured agreeal; others nodded.
“Shall we vote, then?”
I told my Agent to vote Agree and within a minim all the lights were green.
If you’ve enjoyed this chapter and you’d like to show appreciation without becoming a paid subscriber, you could always…