“Watson, you remember that at one point I had inquired about tombstones being stolen and learned that several had gone missing in the north of Ireland.”
I nodded.
Holmes continued, “At the time, I simply dismissed it, thinking the thefts were the result of religious tensions. However, the more I thought about it, the more I considered that a tombstone would serve as the perfect bit of camouflage.
“Since I was fairly certain they had used a grave marker so as to help the site blend it, I began to consult with several local artisans about the symbols that appear on tombstones and the style in which they are carved. I knew that looking at the stones was going to be an exercise in futility unless I knew exactly what I was looking for.”
“I can attest to that,” I said,
Holmes smiled at me and then continued, “As you know, carving techniques, like so many other things, differ greatly from region to region. If they had truly hidden it with a tombstone brought from the north, I expected to find some differences on the tombstone that guarded the grave.
“After a thorough examination of both cemeteries, paying particular attention to the markers near Lyons’ parents’ and grandparents’ graves, I returned to the local monument maker. I had noticed one rather distinctive symbol that appeared on just a few stones and I was hoping that any significant difference might allow me to prove my hypothesis.”
“And what symbol is that?” Mycroft asked.
Turning to me, Holmes said, “Watson, I am certain that during your recent graveyard sojourns you came across the inscription ‘IHS’ on any number of markers.”
“Indeed, I did,” I replied. “I saw a great many of those symbols, and I was wondering what it might mean.”
Holmes said, “Popular since medieval times ‘IHS’ can be translated in several ways, including variously as Iesous a rendering of the Greek orthography for ‘Jesus’ or as Iesus Hominum Salvator, Jesus, saviour of mankind or even as ‘In Hoc Signo [Vince]’ (In this sign, you shall conquer).
“I am assured by the artisans with whom I have spoken that it is easily one of the most common ideograms to be found in Irish cemeteries. More important, however, is the fact that it can be carved in several different manners, and, as you might expect, the popularity of each style has ebbed and flowed with the passage of time. Moreover, they also differ from one section of Ireland to another.
“Do you recall the ideogram on the stone, Watson?”
“Yes, I do. I must admit that it struck me as rather odd because I had never seen anything exactly like it before.”
“My point exactly,” said Holmes. “Lyons obtained a stone from the proper period – the mid-19th century – and placed it among other stones from that period. Perhaps he knew the workmanship was slightly different, but then you must remember that he never expected to get caught.”
“They never do,” I laughed.
“At any rate, the stone Lyons had chosen is emblazoned with what the stone masons call an ‘entwined IHS.’ and both artisans with whom I spoke said the first time they had ever seen a carving like that was around 1870 on various visits to the north, specifically Belfast, which is only about 40 miles from Armagh.
“It’s a fairly distinctive symbol that could easily be mistaken for the American dollar sign. Fortunately, while the symbol appears to have been quite popular in the north for some years, it is only recently that it has it made its way south.
“I returned to Killegy where I found three instances of the ‘entwined IHS’ and Muckross where I found just two others. I discovered that on all of the surrounding stones where the IHS did appear, it was either a ‘plain IHS’ or an IHS with a crucifix.
“When I have time, I may compose a monograph on the subject,” said my friend.
“Bravo,” said Mycroft. “Now, where are Mr. Lyons and his associates?”
“I would think they are in Clonakilty,” said Holmes.
“And was he suitably grateful that he was not to be taken into custody?”
“Indeed,” said Holmes. “I rather think this escapade will soon fade in their memories. After all, no one likes to sit around and reminisce about a failure.”
“I agree,” said Mycroft. “And you said you have something for me?”
“Yes,” said Holmes, handing his brother a folded sheet of foolscap.
After examining it, Mycroft said, “All things considered, this is quite reasonable. I shall have checks deposited in your accounts tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” said my friend.
After chatting for a few minutes more, Mycroft said, “I hope you will excuse me, but I do some have business to which I must attend.”
On the way home in the cab, I said to Holmes, “Is he putting a check in my account as well.”
“Indeed,” said Holmes. “After everything you have endured and sacrificed, I thought you deserved some small degree of recompense.”
“Thank you,” I said. “That really wasn’t necessary though.”
“I think it is actually intended to buy your silence, Watson. Mycroft has made it quite clear that this particular adventure is not to end up in The Strand.”
“You have my word,” I said. “However, it will certainly makes its way into my tin dispatch box in case I should need to refer to it at some point in the future.”
“As long as it remains there,” said Holmes.
Epilogue
Although Holmes had recovered the Coronation Stone in fairly short order, it would be more than a year later before the coronation of Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra, would take place in Westminster Abbey.
Originally scheduled for June 26, 1902 – no explanation was ever given for the lengthy delay – the ceremony had to be postponed on very short notice when the King was taken ill with an abdominal abscess that required immediate surgery.
There was some speculation that since Victoria’s own coronation had been a rather modest affair that had been eclipsed by the successes of both her Golden and Diamond Jubilees, that there was a certain expectation King Edward’s coronation would be an expression of the nation’s status as a great imperial power.
Finally, in December of 1901 an Executive Coronation Committee was formed. The group was led by Viscount Esher, who reportedly worked quite closely with the King in arranging the agenda for the event.
To his credit, it was Esher who had organized Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Given the success of that event and the fact that Esher was an instrumental figure in pushing for the renewed enthusiasm for royal ceremonial, he seemed the obvious choice.
As the coronation day neared, Edward was described by reporters as “worn and pale” and relying a great deal on his cane.
On June 24, two days before the scheduled coronation, a telegram marked “OFFICIAL” was dispatched around the Empire. It contained the news that the coronation had to be postponed and that King Edward was to undergo an operation.
Sometime later, a bulletin was released from the monarch’s medical team, which informed the public:
“The King is suffering from perityphlitis. King Edward’s condition on Saturday was so satisfactory that it was hoped that with care His Majesty would be able to go through the coronation ceremonies. On Monday evening a recrudescence became manifest, rendering a surgical operation necessary today.”
It was undersigned by, among others, Lord Joseph Lister and Sir Frederick Treves.
In fact, it was later revealed that King Edward had been diagnosed with appendicitis, which at that time had an extremely high mortality rate.
Although operations for the condition were uncommon, surgery using the recently developed techniques of anaesthesia and antisepsis was possible.
The procedure was performed in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace, where Treves, supported by Li
ster, successfully treated the illness using the then-unconventional method of draining the abscess through an incision, and the monarch’s health began to improve dramatically.
With the King’s life saved, the coronation was moved to August 9, and Edward assumed the throne as so many of his predecessors had – sitting in the Coronation Chair above the Stone of Destiny in Westminster Abbey.
Author’s note
The history of the Stone of Destiny as told in this book is as true as the history of any object whose origins are shrouded in mystery can be.
The important aspects are these: After it was taken to England by King Edward I in 1296 and installed in the Coronation Chair, every British monarch has sat in that chair and upon that stone when he or she has been invested.
Although the stone was to have been returned to Scotland in 1328 under the terms of the Treaty of Northhampton, riotous crowds prevented it from being removed from Westminster Abbey. So the Coronation Stone remained in England for another six centuries. Oddly enough, even when James VI of Scotland assumed the throne as James I of England, the stone remained in Westminster where Stuart kings and queens of Scotland sat upon it but at their coronations as kings and queens of England.
The only time the stone left England was in 1950 when a small group of Scottish students broke into Westminster on Christmas Eve and spirited the Stone of Scone back to Scotland. Unfortunately, the stone was broken into two pieces during their escapade, but it was repaired and four months later it was discovered by British police on the altar of Arbroath Abbey on April 11, 1951.
Finally, in 1996, as a symbolic gesture to growing dissatisfaction among Scots at the prevailing constitutional settlement, the British Conservative Government decided that the stone should be kept in Scotland when not in use at coronations. And so it was that on July 3, 1996, it was announced in the House of Commons that the stone would be returned to Scotland, and on Nov. 15, 1996, there was a ceremony at the border between representatives of the Home Office and the Scottish Office, after which it was transported to Edinburgh Castle.
The stone currently remains alongside the crown jewels of Scotland in the Crown Room. However, it will be returned to England on the occasion of a new monarch assuming the throne.
Finally, although the stone has far more ties to Scotland than Ireland, I felt that given the political climate of 1901, if anyone were going to steal the stone, it would be a group of Irish separatists, rather than Scottish nationalists.
Acknowledgements
I have said in the past that writing is a lonely task made easier by the encouragement and patience of the following who have supported and encouraged me in my endeavors.
I should be terribly remiss if I failed to thank my publisher, Steve Emecz, who makes the process painless, and Brian Belanger, whose skill as a cover designer is unmatched.
No book is complete without a solid line edit, and Deborah Annakin Peters provided that as well as a number of invaluable suggestions that improved the book immeasurably.
I also owe a debt to Bob Katz, a good friend and the finest Sherlockian I know, who prodded me on and suggested that if I were going to continue penning pastiches, I should try to remain true to the Canon in all respects, including length.
To Francine and Richard Kitts and Carol and Ron Fish, fine Sherlockians all, for their unflagging support and fellowship.
To my brother, Edward, and my sister, Arlene, who quite often had more faith in me than I had in myself.
Finally, to all those, and there are far too many to name, whose support for “The Vatican Cameos,” made me see just what a great life I have and what incredible friends I am surrounded by.
To say that I am in their debt doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of my gratitude.
About the Author
Richard T. Ryan is a native New Yorker, having been born and raised on Staten Island. He majored in English at St. Peter’s College and pursued his graduate studies, concentrating on medieval literature, at the University of Notre Dame.
After teaching high school and college for several years, he joined the staff of the Staten Island Advance. He currently serves as the publications manager for that paper although he still prefers the title, news editor.
In addition to his first novel, “The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure,” he has written three trivia books, including “The Official Sherlock Holmes Trivia Book.” He is also the author of “Deadly Relations,” a mystery that was well-received during its two off-Broadway runs.
He is the very proud father of two children, Dr. Kaitlin Ryan Smith and Michael Ryan.
He has been married for 38 years to his wife, Grace, and continues to marvel at her incredible patience in putting up with him and his computer illiteracy.
He is currently at work on a Holmes short story and is planning his next novel.
Also Available
The Stone of Destiny Page 17
