No. 3 The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone by Arthur Conan Doyle
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book ? "

" no, sir, I_do_not ! "

" you ! "

" me ! "

" yes, sir, you ! you_are all here -- every action of yor vile and dangerous life ."

"Damn you, Holmes ! " cried the count with blazing eyes ." there_are limits to my patience ! "

" it's all here, count . the real facts as_to_the death of old Mrs Harold, who left you the Blymer estate, which you so rapidly gambled away ."

" you_are dreaming ! "

" and_the complete life history of miss Minnie Warrender ."

"Tut ! you_will make nothing of_that ! "

" plenty more here, count . here_is_the robbery in_the train de-luxe to_the Riviera on February 13, 1892 . here_is_the forged check in_the same year on_the credit Lyonnais ."

" no, you're wrong there ."

" then I_am right on_the others ! now, count, you_are a card- player . when_the other fellow has all the trumps, it saves time to throw down your hand ."

" what has all this talk to_do with_the jewel of_which you spoke ? "

" gently, count . restrain that eager mind ! let me get to_the points in my own humdrum fashion . I_have all this against you; but, above all, I_have a clear case against both you and your fighting bully in_the case of_the crown diamond ."

" indeed ! "

" I_have the cabman who took you to Whitehall and_the cabman who brought you away . I_have the commissionaire who saw you near the case . I_have Ikey Sanders, who refused to cut it up for_you .Ikey has peached, and_the game is up ."

the veins stood out on_the count's forehead . his dark, hairy hands were clenched in a convulsion of restrained emotion . he tried to_speak, but the words would_not shape themselves .

" that's the hand I play from," said Holmes ."I put it all upon_the table . but one card is missing . it's the king of diamonds .I don't know where the stone is ."

" you never shall know ."

" no ? now, be reasonable, count . consider the situation . you_are going to_be locked up for twenty years . so is Sam Merton . what good are_you going to_get out of your diamond ? none in_the_world . but if_you hand it over -- well, I'll compound a felony . we don't want you or Sam . we_want the stone . give that up, and so_far as I_am concerned you_can go free so_long as_you behave yourself in_the_future . if_you make another slip well, it_will_be the last . but this_time my commission is to_get the stone, not you ."

" but if I refuse ? "

" why, then -- alas ! -- it must_be you and not the stone ."

Billy had appeared in answer to a ring .

" i_think, count, that_it would_be as_well to_have your friend Sam at_this conference . after all, his interests should_be represented .Billy, you_will_see a large and ugly gentleman outside the front door . ask him to_come up ."

" if he won't come, sir ? "

" no violence, Billy .Don't be rough with_him . if_you tell him that count Sylvius wants him he_will certainly come ."

" what_are you going to_do now ? " asked the count as Billy disappeared .

" my friend Watson was with me just now . i_told him that I had a shark and a gudgeon in my net; now I_am drawing the net and up they_come together ."

the count had risen from_his chair, and_his hand was behind his back .Holmes held something half protruding from_the pocket of_his dressing- gown .

" you won't die in your bed, Holmes ."

" I_have often had the same idea .Does it matter very_much ? Aher all, count, your own exit is more likely to_be perpendicular than horizontal . but these anticipations of_the future are morbid . why_not give ourselves up_to_the unrestrained enjoyment of_the present ? "

a sudden wild- beast light sprang up in_the dark, menacing eyes of_the master criminal .Holmes's figure seemed to grow taller as he grew tense and ready .

" it_is no use your fingering your revolver, my friend," he_said in a quiet voice ." you_know perfectly well that you dare not use it, even if I gave_you time to draw it . nasty, noisy things, revolvers, count . better stick to air-guns .Ah ! i_think I hear the fairy footstep of your estimable partner . good day, Mr Merton . rather dull in_the street, is_it not ? "

the prize-fighter, a heavily built young man with a stupid, obstinate, slab- sided face, stood awkwardly at_the door, looking about him with a puzzled expression .Holmes's debonair manner was a new experience, and though he vaguely felt that_it_was hostile, he_did_not know how to counter it . he turned to_his more astute comrade for help .

" what's the game now, count ? what's this fellow want ? what's up ? " his voice was deep and raucous .

the count shrugged his shoulders, and it_was Holmes who answered .

" if I_may put it in a nutshell, Mr Merton, i_should say it_was all up ."

the boxer still addressed his remarks to_his associate .

" is_this cove trying to_be funny, or what ? I'm not in_the funny mood myself ."

" no, I expect not," said Holmes ." i_think I_can promise you that you_will feel even less humorous as_the evening advances . now, look here, count Sylvius .I'm a busy man and I_can't waste time .I'm going into that bedroom . pray make yourselves quite at home in my absence . you_can explain to your friend how the matter lies without the restraint of_my presence . I_shall try over the Hoffman 'Barcarole' upon my violin . in five minutes I_shall return for your final answer . you quite grasp the alternative, do_you not ? shall we take you, or shall we_have the stone ? "

Holmes withdrew, picking up his violin from_the corner as he passed .a few_moments later the long- drawn, wailing notes of_that most haunting of tunes came faintly through_the closed door of_the bedroom .

" what_is it, then ? " asked Merton anxiously as his companion turned to him ."Does he know about_the stone ? "

" he_knows adamned sight too_much about_it .I'm not sure that he doesn't know all about_it ."

" good lord ! " the boxer's sallow face turned a shade whiter .

"Ikey Sanders has split on us ."

" he has, has he ? I'll do him down a thick 'un for_that if I swing for_it ."

" that won't help_us much . we've got to_make up our minds what to_do ."

" half amo'," said the boxer, looking suspiciously at_the bedroom door ." he's aleary cove that wants watching .I suppose he's not listening ? "

" how can he be listening with_that music going ? "

" that's right . maybe somebody's behind a curtain . too many curtains in_this room ." as he looked round he suddenly saw for_the first time the effigy in_the window, and stood staring and pointing, too amazed for words .

"Tut ! it's only a dummy," said the count .

"A fake, is_it ? well, strike me ! Madame Tussaud ain't in_it . it's the living spit of him, gown and all . but them curtains count ! "

"Oh, confound the curtains ! we_are wasting our time, and there_is none too_much . he_can lag us over this stone ."

" the deuce he_can ! "

" but he'll let_us slip if_we only tell him where the swag is ."

" what ! give it up ? give up a hundred thousand quid ? "

" it's one or the other ."

Merton scratched his short-cropped pate .

" he's alone in there . let's do him in . if his light were out we_should_have nothing to fear ."

the count shook his head .

" he_is armed and ready . if_we shot him we_could hardly get away in a place like this . besides, it's likely enough that_the police know whatever evidence he has got .Hallo ! what_was that ? "

there_was a vague sound which seemed to_come from_the window . both men sprang round, but all was quiet . save for_the one strange figure seated in_the chair, the room was certainly empty .

" something in_the street," said Merton ." now look here, guv' nor, you've got the brains . surely you_can think a way out of it . if slugging is no use then it's up to_you ."

"I've fooled better men than he," the count answered ." the stone is here in my secret pocket .I take no chances leaving it about . it can_be out of England to- night and cut into four pieces in Amsterdam before Sunday . he_knows nothing of Van Seddar ."

" i_thought Van Seddar was going next week ."

" he_was . but now he_must get off by_the next boat . one or other of us must slip round with_the stone to lime street and tell him ."

" but the false bottom ain't ready ."

" well, he_must take it as_it_is and chance it . there's not a moment to lose ." again, with_the sense of danger which becomes an instinct with_the sportsman, he paused and looked hard at_the window . yes, it_was surely from_the street that_the faint sound had come .

" as_to Holmes," he continued, " we_can fool him easily enough . you_see, the damned fool won't arrest us if he_can get the stone . well, we'll promise him the stone . we'll put him on_the wrong track about_it, and before he finds that_it_is the wrong track it_will_be in Holland and we out_of_the country ."

" that sounds good to_me ! " cried Sam Merton with a grin .

" you go on and tell the Dutchman to_get a move on him .I'll see this sucker and fill him up with a bogus confession .I'll tell him that_the stone is in Liverpool . confound that whining music; it gets on my nerves ! by_the_time he finds it isn't in Liverpool it_will_be in quarters and we on_the blue water . come back here, out of a line with_that keyhole . here_is_the stone ."

"I wonder you dare carry it ."

" where could I_have it safer ? if_we_could take it out of Whitehall someone else could surely take it out of_my lodgings ."

" let's have a look at it ."

count Sylvius cast a somewhat unflattering glance at his associate and disregarded the unwashed hand which_was extended towards him .

" what -- d' ye think I'm going to snatch it off you ? see here, mister, I'm getting a bit tired of your ways ."

" well, well, no offence, Sam . we_can't afford to quarrel . come over to_the window if_you want_to_see the beauty properly . now hold it to_the light ! here ! "

" thank_you ! "

with a single spring Holmes had leaped from_the dummy's chair and had grasped the precious jewel . he held it now in one hand, while his other pointed a revolver at_the count's head . the two villains staggered back in utter amazement . before_they had recovered Holmes had pressed the electric bell .

" no violence, gentlemen -- no violence, I beg of you ! consider the furniture ! it must_be very clear to_you that your position is an impossible one . the police are waiting below ."

the count's bewilderment overmastered his rage and fear .

" but how the deuce -- ? " he gasped .

" your surprise is very natural . you_are_not aware that a second door from my bedroom leads behind that curtain .I fancied that you_must_have heard me when I displaced the figure, but luck was on my side . it gave_me a chance of listening to your racy conversation which would_have_been painfully constrained had you been aware of_my presence ."

the count gave a gesture of resignation .

" we give_you best, Holmes .I believe you_are the devil himself ."

" not far from_him, at any rate," Holmes answered with a polite smile .

Sam Merton's slow intellect had only gradually appreciated the situation . now, as_the sound of heavy steps came from_the stairs outside, he broke silence at last .

"A fair cop ! " said he ." but, I_say, what about_that bloomin' fiddle ! I hear it yet ."

"Tut, tut ! " Holmes answered ." you_are perfectly right . let it play ! these modern gramophones are a remarkable invention ."

there_was an inrush of police, the handcuffs clicked and_the criminals were led to_the waiting cab .Watson lingered with Holmes, congratulating him upon_this fresh leaf added to_his laurels . once more their conversation was interrupted by_the imperturbable Billy with_his card- tray .

" lord Cantlemere sir ."

" show him up, Biily . this_is_the eminent peer who represents the very highest interests," said Holmes ." he_is an excellent and loyal person, but rather of_the old regime . shall we_make him unbend ? dare we venture upon a slight liberty ? he_knows, we_may conjecture, nothing of what has occurred ."

the door opened to admit a thin, austere figure with a hatchet face and drooping mid- Victorian whiskers of a glossy blackness which hardly corresponded with_the rounded shoulders and feeble gait .Holmes advanced affably, and shook an unresponsive hand .

" how do_you do, lord Cantlemere ? it_is chilly for_the_time of year, but rather warm indoors . may I take your overcoat ? "

" no, i_thank_you; i_will_not take it off ."

Holmes laid his hand insistently upon_the sleeve .

" pray allow me ! my friend Dr .Watson would assure you that_these changes of temperature are most insidious ."

his lordship shook himself free with some impatience .

" I_am quite comfortable, sir . I_have no need to stay . I_have simply looked in to_know how your self- appointed task was progressing ."

" it_is difficult -- very difficult ."

"I feared that you_would find it so ."

there_was a distinct sneer in_the old courtier's words and manner .

" every man finds his limitations, Mr Holmes, but at_least it cures us of_the weakness of self- satisfaction ."

" yes, sir, I_have_been much perplexed ."

" no_doubt ."

" especially upon one point . possibly you_could help me upon

" you apply for_my advice rather late in_the day . i_thought that you had your own all- sufficient methods . still, I_am ready to help_you ."

" you_see, lord Cantlemere, we_can no_doubt frame a case against the actual thieves ."

" when_you have caught them ."

" exactly . but the question is -- how shall we proceed against the receiver ? "

" is_this not rather premature ? "

" it_is as_well to_have our plans ready . now, what would you regard as final evidence against the receiver ? "

" the actual possession of_the stone ."

" you_would arrest him upon that ? "

" most undoubtedly ."

Holmes seldom laughed, but he got as near it as his old friend Watson could remember .

" in_that case, my dear_Sir, I_shall_be under the painful necessity of advising your arrest ."

lord Cantlemere was very angry . some_of_the ancient fires flickered up into his sallow cheeks .

" you take a great liberty, Mr Holmes . in fifty years of official life I_cannot recall such a case . I_am a busy man, sir engaged upon important affairs, and I_have no time or taste for foolish jokes . I_may tell you frankly, sir, that I_have never been abeliever in your powers, and_that I_have always been of_the opinion that_the matter was far safer in_the hands of_the regular police force . your conduct confirms all my conclusions . I_have the honour, sir, to wish you good- evening ."

Holmes had swiftly changed his position and was between_the peer and_the door .

" one moment, sir," said he ." to actually go off with_the Mazarin stone would_be a more serious offence than to_be found in temporary possession of it ."

" sir, this_is intolerable ! let me pass ."

" put your hand in_the right- hand pocket of your overcoat ."

" what do_you_mean, sir ? "

" come -- come, do what I ask ."

an instant later the amazed peer was standing, blinking and stammering, with_the great yellow stone on_his shaking palm .

" what ! what ! how is_this, Mr Holmes ? "

" too bad, lord Cantlemere, too bad ! " cried Holmes ." my old friend here will tell you that I_have an impish habit of practical joking . also that I_can never resist a dramatic situation . i_took the liberty -- the very great liberty, I admit -- of putting the stone into your pocket at_the beginning of_our interview ."

the old peer stared from_the stone to_the smiling face before him .

" sir, I_am bewildered . but -- yes -- it_is indeed the Mazarin stone . we_are greatly your debtors, Mr Holmes . your sense of humour may, as_you admit, be somewhat perverted, and its exhibition remarkably untimely, but at_least I withdraw any reflection I_have_made upon your amazing professional powers . but how --"

" the case is but half finished; the details can wait . no_doubt, lord Cantlemere, your pleasure in telling of_this successful result in_the exalted circle to_which you return will_be some small atonement for_my practical joke .Billy, you_will show his lordship out, and tell Mrs Hudson that i_should_be glad if she_would send up dinner for two as_soon_as_possible ."

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