" Van Seddar was going next week "

" But now get off next boat One or other of us must slip round stone to Lime Street and tell him "

"But the false bottom ain't ready "

"Well, take it and chance it There's not moment to lose " Again, sense of danger which becomes an instinct sportsman, he paused and looked hard window Yes, surely street faint sound had come

" Holmes," he continued, " fool him easily enough , the damned fool won't arrest us if get the stone Well, we'll promise him the stone We'll put him wrong track , and before he finds the wrong track in Holland and we country "

"That sounds good ! " cried Sam Merton with grin

"You go on and tell the Dutchman move on him I'll see this sucker and fill him up with bogus confession I'll tell him stone is in Liverpool Confound that whining music; it gets on my nerves ! he finds it isn't in Liverpool in quarters and we blue water Come back here, out of line keyhole stone "

"I wonder you dare carry it "

"Where could it safer ? take it out of Whitehall someone else could surely take it out lodgings "

"Let's have look at it "

Count Sylvius cast somewhat unflattering glance at his associate and disregarded the unwashed hand extended towards him

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

"Well, well, no offence, Sam 't afford to quarrel Come over window the beauty properly Now hold it light ! Here ! "

" ! "

With single spring Holmes had leaped dummy's chair and had grasped the precious jewel He held it now in one hand, while his other pointed revolver Count's head The two villains staggered back in utter amazement had recovered Holmes had pressed the electric bell

"No violence, gentlemen -- no violence, I beg of you ! Consider the furniture ! It very clear 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 aware that second door from my bedroom leads behind that curtain I fancied that heard me when I displaced the figure, but luck was on my side It chance of listening to your racy conversation which painfully constrained had you been aware presence "

The Count gave gesture of resignation

"We best, Holmes I believe the devil himself "

"Not far , at any rate," Holmes answered with polite smile

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

"A fair cop ! " said he "But, , what bloomin' fiddle ! I hear it yet "

"Tut, tut ! " Holmes answered " perfectly right Let it play ! These modern gramophones are remarkable invention "

an inrush of police, the handcuffs clicked criminals were led waiting cab Watson lingered with Holmes, congratulating him fresh leaf added laurels Once more their conversation was interrupted imperturbable Billy card-tray

"Lord Cantlemere sir "

"Show him up, Biily eminent peer who represents the very highest interests," said Holmes " an excellent and loyal person, but rather old regime Shall him unbend ? Dare we venture upon slight liberty ? , conjecture, nothing of what has occurred "

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

"How do , Lord Cantlemere ? chilly of year, but rather warm indoors May I take your overcoat ? "

"No, ; take it off "

Holmes laid his hand insistently sleeve

"Pray allow me ! My friend Dr Watson would assure you changes of temperature are most insidious "

His Lordship shook himself free with some impatience

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

" difficult -- very difficult "

"I feared that find it so "

distinct sneer old courtier's words and manner

"Every man finds his limitations, Mr Holmes, but it cures us weakness of self-satisfaction "

"Yes, sir, much perplexed "

" "

"Especially upon one point Possibly help me upon

"You apply advice rather late day that you had your own all-sufficient methods Still, ready to "

" , Lord Cantlemere, frame case against the actual thieves "

" have caught them "

"Exactly But the question is -- how shall we proceed against the receiver ? "

" not rather premature ? "

" our plans ready Now, what would you regard as final evidence against the receiver ? "

"The actual possession stone "

" arrest him upon that ? "

"Most undoubtedly "

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

" case, my , under the painful necessity of advising your arrest "

Lord Cantlemere was very angry ancient fires flickered up into his sallow cheeks

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

Holmes had swiftly changed his position and was peer door

"One moment, sir," said he "To actually go off Mazarin stone more serious offence than found in temporary possession of it "

"Sir, intolerable ! Let me pass "

"Put your hand right-hand pocket of your overcoat "

"What , sir ? "

"Come -- come, do what I ask "

An instant later the amazed peer was standing, blinking and stammering, great yellow stone shaking palm

"What ! What ! How , Mr Holmes ? "

"Too bad, Lord Cantlemere, too bad ! " cried Holmes "My old friend here will tell you that an impish habit of practical joking Also that never resist dramatic situation the liberty -- the very great liberty, I admit -- of putting the stone into your pocket beginning interview "

The old peer stared stone smiling face before him

"Sir, bewildered But -- yes -- indeed the Mazarin stone greatly your debtors, Mr Holmes Your sense of humour may, admit, be somewhat perverted, and its exhibition remarkably untimely, but I withdraw any reflection upon your amazing professional powers But how --"

"The case is but half finished; the details can wait , Lord Cantlemere, your pleasure in telling successful result exalted circle you return some small atonement practical joke Billy, show his Lordship out, and tell Mrs Hudson that glad if send up dinner for two "