The Adventure of the Highgate Miracle

"The Adventure of the Highgate Miracle" is a Sherlock Holmes mystery story by John Dickson Carr. The story was published in the 1954 collection, The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes, a joint enterprise of Adrian Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr.

Plot

The overbearing wife of James Cabpleasure demands that Holmes investigate the abnormal attachment her husband has to an ordinary umbrella. Gloria Cabpleasure has gone to the trouble of having a mechanic examine the umbrella for any secret compartment. Holmes and Watson discover that Mrs. Cabpleasure has even gone to the police, and Inspector Lestrade is investigating Mr. Cabpleasure also. While conducting surveillance on the Cabpleasure home, everyone observes James Cabpleasure emerge from his front door, go back for his umbrella, and then vanish completely, along with valuable diamonds from his company.

There is only one person who meets our requirements of height and figure, and that person—"

There was a loud clamour and jangle of the bell from below.

"Hark!" said Holmes. "It is the visitor, the step upon the stair, the touch of drama which I cannot resist! Who will open the door, Watson? Who will open the door?"