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 role 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。〃
…THE END…
。