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45 The Mazarin Stone from The Case-Book of Sherlock · Sherlock Holmes

• 0:01
  Speaker 1: The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone. It was pleasant to
• 0:07
  Speaker 1: Dr Watson to find himself once more in the untidy
• 0:10
  Speaker 1: room of the first floor in Baker Street, which had
• 0:14
  Speaker 1: been the starting point of so many remarkable adventures. He
• 0:18
  Speaker 1: looked round him at the scientific charts upon the wall,
• 0:22
  Speaker 1: the acid charred bench of chemicals, the violin case leaning
• 0:26
  Speaker 1: in the corner, the coal scuttle which contained of old
• 0:30
  Speaker 1: the pipes and tobacco. Finally, his eyes came round to
• 0:34
  Speaker 1: the fresh and smiling face of Billy, the young but
• 0:38
  Speaker 1: very wise and tactful page, who had helped a little
• 0:42
  Speaker 1: to fill up the gap of loneliness and isolation which
• 0:45
  Speaker 1: surrounded the saturnine figure of the great detective. It all
• 0:50
  Speaker 1: seems very unchanged, Billy. You don't change either, I hope
• 0:55
  Speaker 1: the same can be said of him. Billy glanced with
• 0:59
  Speaker 1: some solicitude at the closed door of the bedroom. I
• 1:02
  Speaker 1: think he's in bed and asleep, he said. It was
• 1:05
  Speaker 1: seven in the evening of a lovely summer's day. But
• 1:09
  Speaker 1: Dr Watson was sufficiently familiar with the irregularity of his
• 1:13
  Speaker 1: old friend's hours to feel no surprise at the idea
• 1:17
  Speaker 1: that means a case. I suppose, Yes, sir, he is
• 1:20
  Speaker 1: very hard at it. Just now I'm frightened for his health.
• 1:24
  Speaker 1: He gets paler and thinner, and he eats nothing. When
• 1:27
  Speaker 1: will you be pleased to dine, mister Holmes, missus Hudson
• 1:29
  Speaker 1: asked seven thirty the day after tomorrow, said he you
• 1:35
  Speaker 1: know his way when he is keen on a case. Yes, Billy,
• 1:39
  Speaker 1: I know he's following someone. Yesterday he was out as
• 1:43
  Speaker 1: a workman looking for a job. To day he was
• 1:45
  Speaker 1: an old woman. Fairly took me in, he did, and
• 1:49
  Speaker 1: I ought to know his ways by now. Billy pointed
• 1:52
  Speaker 1: with a grin to a very baggy parasol which leaned
• 1:55
  Speaker 1: against the sofa. That's part of the old woman's outfit,
• 1:59
  Speaker 1: he said. But what is it all about? Billy? Billy
• 2:03
  Speaker 1: sank his voice as one who discusses great secrets of state.
• 2:07
  Speaker 1: I don't mind telling you, sir, but it should go
• 2:09
  Speaker 1: no farther. It's this case of the crown diamond. What
• 2:14
  Speaker 1: the hundred thousand pound burglary? Yes, sir, they must get
• 2:18
  Speaker 1: it back, sir. Why we had the Prime Minister and
• 2:21
  Speaker 1: the Home Secretary both sitting on that very sofa. Mister
• 2:25
  Speaker 1: Holmes was very nice to them. He soon put them
• 2:27
  Speaker 1: at their ease and promised he would do all he could.
• 2:30
  Speaker 1: Then there is Lord Cantlemere. Ah, yes, sir, you know
• 2:35
  Speaker 1: what that means. He's a stiff. And Sir, if I
• 2:37
  Speaker 1: may say so, I can get along with the Prime Minister.
• 2:40
  Speaker 1: And I've nothing against the Home Secretary, who seemed a
• 2:43
  Speaker 1: civil obliging sort of man. But I can't stand his lordship.
• 2:47
  Speaker 1: Neither can mister Olmes. Sir. You see, he don't believe
• 2:49
  Speaker 1: in mister Elmes, and he was against employing him. It. Rather,
• 2:54
  Speaker 1: he failed, and mister Holmes knows it. Mister Elmes always
• 2:58
  Speaker 1: knows whatever there is to know. Well, we'll hope he
• 3:01
  Speaker 1: won't fail, and that Lord Cantlemere will be confounded. But
• 3:05
  Speaker 1: I say, Billy, what is that curtain for across the window?
• 3:09
  Speaker 1: Mister Olmes had it put up there three days ago.
• 3:12
  Speaker 1: We've got something funny behind it. Billy advanced and drew
• 3:16
  Speaker 1: away the drapery which screened the alcove of the bow window.
• 3:21
  Speaker 1: Dr Watson could not restrain a cry of amazement. There
• 3:25
  Speaker 1: was a fact simile of his old friend dressing gown,
• 3:29
  Speaker 1: and all the face turned three quarters towards the window
• 3:33
  Speaker 1: and downward, as though reading an invisible book. While the
• 3:37
  Speaker 1: body was sunk deep in an armchair, Billy detached the
• 3:41
  Speaker 1: head and held it in the air. We put it
• 3:44
  Speaker 1: at different angles so that it may seem more lifelike.
• 3:47
  Speaker 1: I wouldn't dare touch it if the blind were not down.
• 3:50
  Speaker 1: But when it's up. You can see this from across
• 3:52
  Speaker 1: the way. We used something of the sort once before,
• 3:57
  Speaker 1: before my time, said Billy. He drew the window curtains
• 4:01
  Speaker 1: apart and looked out into the street. They're a folk
• 4:04
  Speaker 1: who watch us from over yonder. I can see a
• 4:07
  Speaker 1: fellow now at the window. Have a look for yourself.
• 4:10
  Speaker 1: Watson had taken a step forward when the bedroom door
• 4:14
  Speaker 1: opened and the long, thin form of homes emerged, his
• 4:18
  Speaker 1: face pale and drawn, but his step and bearing as
• 4:22
  Speaker 1: active as ever with a single spring. He was at
• 4:25
  Speaker 1: the window and had drawn the blind once more. That
• 4:29
  Speaker 1: will do, Billy said he. You were in danger of
• 4:32
  Speaker 1: your life, then, my boy, and I can't do without
• 4:35
  Speaker 1: you just yet. Well, Watson, it is good to see
• 4:38
  Speaker 1: you in your old quarters once again. You come at
• 4:41
  Speaker 1: a critical moment, so I gather you can go. Billy,
• 4:45
  Speaker 1: that boy is a problem Watson, How far am I
• 4:49
  Speaker 1: justified in allowing him to be in danger? Danger of
• 4:52
  Speaker 1: what holmes of sudden death? I'm expecting something this evening,
• 4:56
  Speaker 1: expecting what to be murdered? Watson. No, No, you are joking, Homes.
• 5:01
  Speaker 1: Even my limited sense of humor could evolve a better
• 5:04
  Speaker 1: joke than that. But we may be comfortable in the meantime,
• 5:08
  Speaker 1: may we not? Is alcohol permitted? The gaso jene and
• 5:12
  Speaker 1: cigars are in the old place. Let me see you
• 5:15
  Speaker 1: once more in the customary arm chair. You have not,
• 5:20
  Speaker 1: I hope, learned to despise my pipe and my lamentable tobacco.
• 5:25
  Speaker 1: It has to take the place of food these days.
• 5:28
  Speaker 1: But why not eat? Because the faculties become refined when
• 5:32
  Speaker 1: you stave them. Why, surely, as a doctor, my dear Watson,
• 5:35
  Speaker 1: you must admit that what your digestion gains in the
• 5:38
  Speaker 1: way of blood supply is so much lost to the brain.
• 5:42
  Speaker 1: I am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is
• 5:45
  Speaker 1: a mere appendix. Therefore it is the brain I must consider.
• 5:49
  Speaker 1: But this danger, Homes, Ah, Yes, in case it should
• 5:53
  Speaker 1: come off, it would perhaps be as well that you
• 5:56
  Speaker 1: should burden your memory with the name and address of
• 5:59
  Speaker 1: the murderer. You can give it to Scotland yard with
• 6:02
  Speaker 1: my love and a parting blessing. Silvius is the name,
• 6:06
  Speaker 1: Count Negretto Silvius. Write it down, Man, write it down.
• 6:09
  Speaker 1: One three, six more side gardens. N w got it.
• 6:14
  Speaker 1: Watson's honest face was twitching with anxiety. He knew only
• 6:19
  Speaker 1: too well the immense risks taken by Holmes, and was
• 6:22
  Speaker 1: well aware that what he said was more likely to
• 6:25
  Speaker 1: be under statement than exaggeration. Watson was always the man
• 6:30
  Speaker 1: of action, and he rose to the occasion. Count me
• 6:33
  Speaker 1: in homes, I have nothing to do for a day
• 6:35
  Speaker 1: or two. Your morals don't improve, Watson. You have added
• 6:39
  Speaker 1: fibbing to your other vices. You bear every sign of
• 6:43
  Speaker 1: the busy medical man, with calls on him every hour,
• 6:48
  Speaker 1: not such important ones. But can't you have this fellow arrested? Yes, Watson,
• 6:53
  Speaker 1: I could. That's what worries him so. But why don't you?
• 6:57
  Speaker 1: Because I don't know where the diamond is, ah Billy
• 7:01
  Speaker 1: told me the missing crown jewel. Yes, the great yellow
• 7:06
  Speaker 1: Mazarin stone. I've cast my net and I have my fish,
• 7:11
  Speaker 1: but I have not got the stone. What is the
• 7:13
  Speaker 1: use of taking them? We can make the world a
• 7:16
  Speaker 1: better place by laying them by the heels. But that
• 7:20
  Speaker 1: is not what I am out for. It's the stone
• 7:23
  Speaker 1: I want. And is this Count Sylvius one of your fish? Yes,
• 7:28
  Speaker 1: and he's a shark he bites. The other is Sam Merton,
• 7:33
  Speaker 1: the boxer. Not a bad fellow, Sam, but the Countess
• 7:37
  Speaker 1: used him. Sam's not a shark. He who's a great, big, silly,
• 7:42
  Speaker 1: bull headed gudgeon that he is flopping about in my net?
• 7:45
  Speaker 1: All the same, Where is this Count Sylvius? I've been
• 7:49
  Speaker 1: at his very elbow all the morning. You've seen me
• 7:52
  Speaker 1: as an old lady, Watson. I was never more convincing.
• 7:57
  Speaker 1: He actually picked up my parasol for me once. By
• 8:00
  Speaker 1: your leave, Madame said. He half Italian, you know, and
• 8:03
  Speaker 1: with the Southern graces of manner when in the mood,
• 8:07
  Speaker 1: but a devil incarnate in the other mood. Life is
• 8:11
  Speaker 1: full of whimsical happenings, Watson, it might have been tragedy, well,
• 8:14
  Speaker 1: perhaps it might. I followed him to Old Straubensey's workshop
• 8:19
  Speaker 1: in the Mineries. Straubensey made the air gun a very
• 8:23
  Speaker 1: pretty bit of work, as I understand, and I rather
• 8:26
  Speaker 1: fancy it is in the opposite window at the present moment.
• 8:30
  Speaker 1: Have you seen the dummy? Of course, Billy showed it
• 8:33
  Speaker 1: to you. Well, it may get a bullet through its
• 8:36
  Speaker 1: beautiful head at any moment, Ah, Billy, what is it?
• 8:40
  Speaker 1: The boy had reappeared in the room with a card
• 8:42
  Speaker 1: upon a tray. Holmes glanced at it with raised eyebrows
• 8:46
  Speaker 1: and an amused smile. The man himself, I had hardly
• 8:50
  Speaker 1: expected this grasp the nettle. Watson a man of nerve.
• 8:56
  Speaker 1: Possibly you have heard of his reputation as a shooter
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  Speaker 1: of big game. It would indeed be a triumphant ending
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  Speaker 1: to his excellent sporting record if he added me to
• 9:07
  Speaker 1: his bag. This is a proof that he feels my
• 9:10
  Speaker 1: toe very close behind his heel. Send for the police,
• 9:14
  Speaker 1: I probably shall, but not just yet. Would you glance
• 9:17
  Speaker 1: carefully out of the window, Watson, and see if anyone
• 9:21
  Speaker 1: is hanging about in the street. Watson looked wearily round
• 9:25
  Speaker 1: the edge of the curtain. Yes, there is one rough
• 9:28
  Speaker 1: fellow near the door. That will be Sam Merton, the
• 9:31
  Speaker 1: faithful but rather fatuous Sam. Where is this gentleman Billy
• 9:36
  Speaker 1: in the waiting room, Sir? Show him up when I ring, Yes, sir,
• 9:41
  Speaker 1: if I'm not in the room, show him in all
• 9:43
  Speaker 1: the same, Yes, sir Watson waited until the door was closed,
• 9:49
  Speaker 1: and then he turned earnestly to his companion. Look here, Holmes,
• 9:53
  Speaker 1: this is simply impossible. This is a desperate man who
• 9:56
  Speaker 1: sticks at nothing. He may have come to murder you.
• 9:59
  Speaker 1: I should not be surprised. I insist upon staying with you.
• 10:02
  Speaker 1: You would be horribly in the way, in his way, No,
• 10:06
  Speaker 1: my dear fellow, in my way. Well, I can't possibly
• 10:09
  Speaker 1: leave you. Yes you can, Watson, and you will, for
• 10:13
  Speaker 1: you have never failed to play the game. I am
• 10:16
  Speaker 1: sure you will play it to the end. This man
• 10:19
  Speaker 1: has come for his own purpose, but he may stay
• 10:22
  Speaker 1: for mine. Holmes took out his note book and scribbled
• 10:25
  Speaker 1: a few lines. Take a cab to Scotland Yard and
• 10:28
  Speaker 1: give this to Yawl of the c I d come
• 10:32
  Speaker 1: back with the police. The fellow's arrest will follow. I'll
• 10:36
  Speaker 1: do that with joy. Before you return. I may have
• 10:39
  Speaker 1: just time enough to find out where the stone is.
• 10:42
  Speaker 1: He touched the bell. I think we will go out
• 10:45
  Speaker 1: through the bedroom. This second exit is exceedingly useful. I
• 10:49
  Speaker 1: rather want to see my shark without his seeing me,
• 10:53
  Speaker 1: and I have as you will remember my own way
• 10:55
  Speaker 1: of doing it. It was therefore an empty room into
• 10:59
  Speaker 1: Wi Billy. A minute later ushered Count Sylvia's the famous
• 11:04
  Speaker 1: game shot, sportsman and man about town was a big,
• 11:08
  Speaker 1: swarthy fellow with a formidable dark mustache, shading a cruel,
• 11:12
  Speaker 1: thin lipped mouth, and surmounted by a long curved nose
• 11:16
  Speaker 1: like the beak of an eagle. He was well dressed,
• 11:20
  Speaker 1: but his brilliant necktie, shining pin, and glittering rings were
• 11:24
  Speaker 1: flamboyant in their effect. As the door closed behind him,
• 11:29
  Speaker 1: he looked round him with fierce, startled eyes, like one
• 11:33
  Speaker 1: who suspects a trap at every turn. Then he gave
• 11:37
  Speaker 1: a violent start as he saw the impassive head and
• 11:41
  Speaker 1: the collar of the dressing gown which projected above the
• 11:44
  Speaker 1: armchair in the window. At first his expression was one
• 11:48
  Speaker 1: of pure amazement. Then the light of a horrible hope
• 11:52
  Speaker 1: gleamed in his dark, murderous eyes. He took one more
• 11:56
  Speaker 1: glance round to see that there were no witnesses, and then,
• 12:00
  Speaker 1: on tiptoe, his thick stick half raised, he approached the
• 12:04
  Speaker 1: silent figure he was crouching for his final spring and blow,
• 12:10
  Speaker 1: when a cool, sardonic voice greeted him from the open
• 12:13
  Speaker 1: bedroom door. Don't break it, Count, don't break it. The
• 12:18
  Speaker 1: assassin staggered back, amazement in his convulsed face. For an
• 12:23
  Speaker 1: instant he half raised his loaded cane once more, as
• 12:28
  Speaker 1: if he would turn his violence from the effigy to
• 12:31
  Speaker 1: the original. But there was something in that steady gray
• 12:34
  Speaker 1: eye and mocking smile which caused his hand to sink
• 12:39
  Speaker 1: to his side. It's a pretty little thing, said Holmes,
• 12:43
  Speaker 1: advancing towards the image Tavernier, the French modler made it.
• 12:48
  Speaker 1: He is as good at waxworks as your friend Straubenzy
• 12:51
  Speaker 1: is at air guns. Air guns, sir, what do you mean?
• 12:55
  Speaker 1: Put your hat and stick on the side table, Thank you, pray,
• 12:59
  Speaker 1: take a seat? Would you care to put your revolver out? Also? Oh,
• 13:03
  Speaker 1: very good if you prefer to sit upon it. Your
• 13:07
  Speaker 1: visit is really most opportune for I wanted badly to
• 13:10
  Speaker 1: have a few minutes chat with you, The Count scowled,
• 13:14
  Speaker 1: with heavy threatening eyebrows. I too wished to have some
• 13:18
  Speaker 1: words with you, Holmes. That is why I am here.
• 13:21
  Speaker 1: I won't deny that I intended to assault you just now.
• 13:25
  Speaker 1: Holmes swung his leg on the edge of the table.
• 13:28
  Speaker 1: I rather gathered that you had some idea of the
• 13:30
  Speaker 1: sort in your head, said he. But why these personal attentions,
• 13:36
  Speaker 1: because you have gone out of your way to annoy me,
• 13:38
  Speaker 1: because you have put your creatures upon my track. My creatures,
• 13:43
  Speaker 1: I assure you, no nonsense. I have had them followed.
• 13:47
  Speaker 1: Two can play at that game, Holmes. It is a
• 13:49
  Speaker 1: small point, Count Silvius, But perhaps you would kindly give
• 13:54
  Speaker 1: me my prefix when you address me. You can understand
• 13:58
  Speaker 1: that with my routine of work, I should find myself
• 14:01
  Speaker 1: on familiar terms with half the rogue's gallery, and you
• 14:04
  Speaker 1: will agree that exceptions are invidious. Well measter, Holmes, then excellent,
• 14:12
  Speaker 1: But I assure you you are mistaken about my alleged agents.
• 14:16
  Speaker 1: Count Sylvius laughed contemptuously. Other people can observe as well
• 14:20
  Speaker 1: as you. Yesterday there was an old sporting man. To
• 14:24
  Speaker 1: day it was an elderly woman. They held me in
• 14:27
  Speaker 1: view all day. Really, sir, you compliment me. Old Baron
• 14:32
  Speaker 1: Dowson said the night before he was hanged that in
• 14:35
  Speaker 1: my case, what the law had gained, the stage had last.
• 14:40
  Speaker 1: And now you give my little impersonations your kindly praise.
• 14:45
  Speaker 1: It was you, you, yourself Holmes shrugged his shoulders. You
• 14:49
  Speaker 1: can see in the corner the parasol which you so
• 14:52
  Speaker 1: politely handed to me in the mineries before you began
• 14:56
  Speaker 1: to suspect. If I had known, you might never have
• 14:59
  Speaker 1: seen this humble home. Again, I was well aware of it.
• 15:02
  Speaker 1: We have all neglected opportunities to deplore, As it happens,
• 15:07
  Speaker 1: you did not know. So here we are. The Count's
• 15:11
  Speaker 1: knotted brows gathered more heavily over his menacing eyes. What
• 15:15
  Speaker 1: do you say only makes the matter worse. It was
• 15:18
  Speaker 1: not your agent's but your play acting busy body self.
• 15:23
  Speaker 1: You admit that you have dogged me. Why come now,
• 15:26
  Speaker 1: Count you used to shoot lions in Algeria? Well, but
• 15:31
  Speaker 1: why why the sport, the excitement, the danger, and no
• 15:36
  Speaker 1: doubt to free the country from a pest? Exactly my
• 15:40
  Speaker 1: reasons in a nutshell. The Count sprang to his feet,
• 15:44
  Speaker 1: and his hand involuntarily moved back to his hip pocket.
• 15:48
  Speaker 1: Sit down, sir, Sit down. There was another more practical
• 15:52
  Speaker 1: reason I want that yellow diamond. Count Sylvius lay back
• 15:57
  Speaker 1: in his chair with an evil smile upon my word, said,
• 16:01
  Speaker 1: he you knew that I was after you for that?
• 16:04
  Speaker 1: The real reason why you are here to night is
• 16:07
  Speaker 1: to find out how much I know about the matter,
• 16:09
  Speaker 1: and how far my removal is absolutely essential? Well, I
• 16:14
  Speaker 1: should say that from your point of view, it is
• 16:16
  Speaker 1: absolutely essential, for I know all about it save only
• 16:20
  Speaker 1: one thing, which you are about to tell me. Oh, indeed,
• 16:24
  Speaker 1: and pray, what is this missing fact? Where the crown
• 16:27
  Speaker 1: diamond now is? The Count looked sharply at his companion.
• 16:32
  Speaker 1: Oh you want to know that, do you? How the
• 16:34
  Speaker 1: devil should I be able to tell you where it is?
• 16:36
  Speaker 1: You can, and you will. Indeed, you can't bluff me.
• 16:39
  Speaker 1: Count Sylvius Holmes's eyes, as he gazed at him, contracted
• 16:44
  Speaker 1: and lightened till they were like two menacing points of steel.
• 16:49
  Speaker 1: You are absolute plate glass. I see to the very
• 16:53
  Speaker 1: back of your mind. Then, of course you see where
• 16:57
  Speaker 1: the diamond is. Holmes clap his hands with amusement, and
• 17:01
  Speaker 1: then pointed a derisive finger. Then you do know you
• 17:06
  Speaker 1: have admitted it. I admit nothing now, Count, If you
• 17:11
  Speaker 1: will be reasonable, we can do business. If not, you
• 17:14
  Speaker 1: will get hurt. Count Sylvius threw up his eyes to
• 17:18
  Speaker 1: the ceiling. And you talk about the bluff, said he.
• 17:22
  Speaker 1: Holmes looked at him thoughtfully, like a master chess player
• 17:26
  Speaker 1: who meditates his crowning move. Then he threw open the
• 17:30
  Speaker 1: table drawer and drew out a squat note book. Do
• 17:34
  Speaker 1: you know what I keep in this book? No, sir,
• 17:37
  Speaker 1: I do not you me, Yes, sir you You are
• 17:42
  Speaker 1: all here, every action of your vile and dangerous life.
• 17:48
  Speaker 1: Damn you, Holmes, cried the count with blazing eyes. There
• 17:51
  Speaker 1: are limits to my patience. It's all here, Count, the
• 17:55
  Speaker 1: real facts as to the death of old missus Harold,
• 17:59
  Speaker 1: who left you the Blimer estate which you so rapidly
• 18:03
  Speaker 1: gamboled away you are dreaming, and the complete life history
• 18:07
  Speaker 1: of Miss Minnie Warrender tut you will make nothing of that.
• 18:11
  Speaker 1: Plenty more here, Count, Here is the robbery and the
• 18:15
  Speaker 1: troun de lux to the Riviera on February thirteenth, eighteen
• 18:18
  Speaker 1: ninety two. Here is the forged check in the same
• 18:22
  Speaker 1: year on the credill leonet. No you're wrong there, then
• 18:26
  Speaker 1: I am right on the others now, Count. You are
• 18:29
  Speaker 1: a card player. When the other fellow has all the trumps,
• 18:32
  Speaker 1: it saves time to throw down your hand. What does
• 18:35
  Speaker 1: all this talk to do with the jewel of which
• 18:38
  Speaker 1: you spoke? Gently, Count, restrain that eager mind. Let me
• 18:43
  Speaker 1: get to the points in my own humdrum fashion. I
• 18:47
  Speaker 1: have all this against you, but above all, I have
• 18:49
  Speaker 1: a clear case against both you and your fighting bully
• 18:52
  Speaker 1: in the case of the Crown Diamond. Indeed, I have
• 18:56
  Speaker 1: the cabman who took you to Whitehall and the cabman
• 18:59
  Speaker 1: who brought you away. I have the commissionaire who saw
• 19:03
  Speaker 1: you near the case. I have Ikey Sanders, who refused
• 19:07
  Speaker 1: to cut it up for you. Ikey has peached, and
• 19:11
  Speaker 1: the game is up. The veins stood out on the
• 19:15
  Speaker 1: Count's forehead. His dark, hairy hands were clenched in a
• 19:19
  Speaker 1: convulsion of restrained emotion. He tried to speak, but the
• 19:24
  Speaker 1: words would not shape themselves. That's the hand I play from,
• 19:28
  Speaker 1: said Holmes. I put it all upon the table, but
• 19:32
  Speaker 1: one card is missing. It's the King of Diamonds. I
• 19:37
  Speaker 1: don't know where the stone is. You never shall know. No. Now,
• 19:43
  Speaker 1: be reasonable, Count, consider the situation. You are going to
• 19:47
  Speaker 1: be locked up for twenty years, So is Sam Merton.
• 19:51
  Speaker 1: What good are you going to get out of your diamond?
• 19:55
  Speaker 1: None in the world. But if you hand it over
• 19:59
  Speaker 1: well our compounder, felony. We don't want you or Sam
• 20:04
  Speaker 1: We want the stone, give that up, and so far
• 20:07
  Speaker 1: as I am concerned, you can go free so long
• 20:10
  Speaker 1: as you behave yourself in the future. If you make
• 20:14
  Speaker 1: another slip, well it will be the last. But this
• 20:17
  Speaker 1: time my commission is to get the stone, not you.
• 20:22
  Speaker 1: But if I refuse, why then alas it must be
• 20:26
  Speaker 1: you and not the stone. Billy had appeared in answer
• 20:30
  Speaker 1: to a ring. I think Count that it would be
• 20:33
  Speaker 1: as well to have your friend Sam at this conference,
• 20:37
  Speaker 1: after all, his interests should be represented. Billy, you will
• 20:41
  Speaker 1: see a large and ugly gentleman outside the front door.
• 20:44
  Speaker 1: Ask him to come up. If he won't come, sir,
• 20:47
  Speaker 1: no violence, Billy, don't be rough with him. If you
• 20:51
  Speaker 1: tell him that Count Sylvius wants him, he will certainly come.
• 20:55
  Speaker 1: What are you going to do now, asked the Count
• 20:57
  Speaker 1: as Billy disappeared. My Friendson was with me just now.
• 21:01
  Speaker 1: I told him that I had a shark and a
• 21:03
  Speaker 1: gudgeon in my net. Now I am drawing the net,
• 21:07
  Speaker 1: and up they come together. The Count had risen from
• 21:11
  Speaker 1: his chair and his hand was behind his back. Holmes
• 21:15
  Speaker 1: held something half protruding from the pocket of his dressing gown.
• 21:20
  Speaker 1: You won't die in your bed Holmes, I have often
• 21:23
  Speaker 1: had the same idea. Does it matter very much? After all,
• 21:28
  Speaker 1: count your own exit is more likely to be perpendicular
• 21:32
  Speaker 1: than horizontal. But these anticipations of the future are morbid.
• 21:37
  Speaker 1: Why not give ourselves up to the unrestrained enjoyment of
• 21:40
  Speaker 1: the present. A sudden, wild beast light sprang up in
• 21:45
  Speaker 1: the dark, menacing eyes of the master criminal. Holmes's figure
• 21:49
  Speaker 1: seemed to grow taller as he grew tense and ready.
• 21:53
  Speaker 1: It is no use your fingering your revolver, my friend,
• 21:57
  Speaker 1: he said in a quiet voice. You know perfectly well
• 22:00
  Speaker 1: that you dare not use it, even if I gave
• 22:03
  Speaker 1: you time to draw it. Nasty noisy things. Revolver's count
• 22:08
  Speaker 1: better stick to air guns. Ah, I think I hear
• 22:10
  Speaker 1: the fairy footsteps of your estimable partner. Good day, mister Merton.
• 22:15
  Speaker 1: Rather dull in the street, is it not? The prize fighter,
• 22:20
  Speaker 1: A heavily built young man with a stupid, obstinate, slab
• 22:23
  Speaker 1: sided face stood awkwardly at the door, looking about him
• 22:27
  Speaker 1: with a puzzled expression. Holmes's debonair manner was a new experience,
• 22:33
  Speaker 1: and though he vaguely felt that it was hostile, he
• 22:36
  Speaker 1: did not know how to counter it. He turned to
• 22:39
  Speaker 1: his more astute comrade for Help's the guy. Now, Count,
• 22:43
  Speaker 1: was this fellow one? What's up? His voice was deep
• 22:47
  Speaker 1: and raucous. The Count shrugged his shoulders, and it was
• 22:50
  Speaker 1: Holmes who answered, if I may put it in a nutshell,
• 22:54
  Speaker 1: mister Merton, I should say it was all up. The
• 22:58
  Speaker 1: boxer still addressed his remark to his associate. Is this
• 23:02
  Speaker 1: clive trying to be funny or what? I'm not in
• 23:04
  Speaker 1: the funny mode myself. No, I expect not, said Holmes.
• 23:08
  Speaker 1: I think I can promise you that you will feel
• 23:10
  Speaker 1: even less humorous as the evening advances. Now, look here,
• 23:15
  Speaker 1: Count Sylvius, I'm a busy man and I can't waste time.
• 23:18
  Speaker 1: I Am going into that bedroom. Pray, make yourselves quite
• 23:22
  Speaker 1: at home. In my absence. You can explain to your
• 23:25
  Speaker 1: friend how the matter lies. Without the restraint of my presence.
• 23:29
  Speaker 1: I shall try over the Hoffman Barker roll upon my violin.
• 23:34
  Speaker 1: In five minutes I shall return for your final answer.
• 23:37
  Speaker 1: You quite grasp the alternative, do you not? Shall we
• 23:40
  Speaker 1: take you? Or shall we have the stone? Holmes withdrew,
• 23:45
  Speaker 1: picking up his violin from the corner as he passed
• 23:49
  Speaker 1: A few moments later, the long, drawn wailing notes of
• 23:52
  Speaker 1: that most haunting of tunes came faintly through the closed
• 23:56
  Speaker 1: door of the bedroom. What is it, then, asked Merton anxiously,
• 24:01
  Speaker 1: as his companion turned to him. Does he know about
• 24:03
  Speaker 1: the stone? He knows the damn sight too much about it.
• 24:07
  Speaker 1: I'm not sure that he doesn't know all about it,
• 24:09
  Speaker 1: good lord. The boxer's sallow face turned a shade whiter.
• 24:14
  Speaker 1: Aike Sanders has split on us, yes, as he I'll
• 24:19
  Speaker 1: do him down a thicken for that. If I swing
• 24:21
  Speaker 1: for it. That won't help us much. We've got to
• 24:24
  Speaker 1: make up our minds. What to do? Offer mo, said
• 24:27
  Speaker 1: the boxer, looking suspiciously at the bedroom door. He's a
• 24:31
  Speaker 1: leary cove that wants watching. I suppose he's not listening.
• 24:34
  Speaker 1: How can he be listening with that music going? That's right,
• 24:38
  Speaker 1: Maybe somebody's behind the curtain. Too many curtains in this room.
• 24:42
  Speaker 1: As he looked round, he suddenly saw for the first
• 24:45
  Speaker 1: time the effigy in the window, and stood staring and pointing,
• 24:49
  Speaker 1: too amazed for words. Tat it's only a dummy, said
• 24:53
  Speaker 1: the count A fake? Is it? Well? Strike me, madam too,
• 24:57
  Speaker 1: sword ain't in it. It's the living spit of him
• 25:00
  Speaker 1: one and all. But then curtains. Count oh confound the curtains.
• 25:04
  Speaker 1: We are wasting our time and there is none too much.
• 25:07
  Speaker 1: He can lag us over this stone the juice he can,
• 25:11
  Speaker 1: but he'll let us slip if we only tell him
• 25:13
  Speaker 1: where the swag is. What give it up? Give up
• 25:16
  Speaker 1: a hundred thousand quid. It's one or the other. Merton
• 25:20
  Speaker 1: scratched his short cropped pate. He's alone in there. Let's
• 25:24
  Speaker 1: do him in. If his light were out, we should
• 25:27
  Speaker 1: have nothing to fear. The Count shook his head. He
• 25:31
  Speaker 1: is armed and ready. If we shot him, we could
• 25:34
  Speaker 1: hardly get away in a place like this. Besides, it's
• 25:38
  Speaker 1: likely enough that the police know whatever evidence he has got. Hello,
• 25:41
  Speaker 1: what was that? There was a vague sound which seemed
• 25:45
  Speaker 1: to come from the window. Both men sprang round, but
• 25:49
  Speaker 1: all was quiet save for the one strange figure seated
• 25:52
  Speaker 1: in the chair. The room was certainly empty. Something in
• 25:56
  Speaker 1: the street said Merton. L Look here, guv'nor. You've got
• 25:59
  Speaker 1: a brain, surely you and think away out of it.
• 26:01
  Speaker 1: If slugging is no use, then it's up to you.
• 26:04
  Speaker 1: I've fooled better men than he. The Count answered, this
• 26:08
  Speaker 1: stone is here in my secret pocket. I take no
• 26:12
  Speaker 1: chances leaving it about. It can be out of England
• 26:15
  Speaker 1: to night and cut into four pieces in Amsterdam before Sunday.
• 26:19
  Speaker 1: He knows nothing of Van Sedder. I thought Van Saider
• 26:23
  Speaker 1: was going next week. He was, But now he must
• 26:26
  Speaker 1: get off by the next boat. One or other of
• 26:29
  Speaker 1: us must slip round with the stone to Lime Street
• 26:32
  Speaker 1: and tell him. But the false bottom ain't ready. Well,
• 26:36
  Speaker 1: he must take it as it is and chance it.
• 26:38
  Speaker 1: There's not a moment to lose again with a sense
• 26:41
  Speaker 1: of danger which becomes an instinct with the sportsman. He
• 26:45
  Speaker 1: paused and looked hard at the window. Yes, it was
• 26:48
  Speaker 1: surely from the street that that faint sound had come.
• 26:52
  Speaker 1: As to Holmes, he continued, we can fool him easily enough,
• 26:57
  Speaker 1: you see, the damned fool won't arrest us if he
• 27:00
  Speaker 1: can get the stone. Well, we'll promise him the stone.
• 27:04
  Speaker 1: We'll put him on the wrong track about it, and
• 27:07
  Speaker 1: before he finds that it is the wrong track, it
• 27:10
  Speaker 1: will be in Holland and we out of the country.
• 27:13
  Speaker 1: Bess as good to me, cried sam Merton, with a grin.
• 27:17
  Speaker 1: You go on and tell the Dutchman to get a
• 27:20
  Speaker 1: move on him. I'll see this sucker and fill him
• 27:23
  Speaker 1: up with a bogus confession. I'll tell him that the
• 27:26
  Speaker 1: stone is in Liverpool. Confound this whining music. It gets
• 27:30
  Speaker 1: on my nerves. By the time he finds it isn't
• 27:33
  Speaker 1: in Liverpool, it will be in Quarters and we on
• 27:37
  Speaker 1: the blue water. Come back here out of a line
• 27:41
  Speaker 1: with that keyhole. Here is the stone. I wonder you
• 27:46
  Speaker 1: dare carry it? Where could I have it safer? If
• 27:49
  Speaker 1: we could take it out of Whitehall? Someone else could
• 27:51
  Speaker 1: surely take it out of my lodgings. Let's have a
• 27:53
  Speaker 1: look at it. Count Sylvius cast a somewhat unflattering glance
• 27:58
  Speaker 1: at his associate and regarded the unwashed hand which was
• 28:02
  Speaker 1: extended towards him. What do you think I'm going to
• 28:05
  Speaker 1: snatch it off? You see here, mister, I'm getting a
• 28:08
  Speaker 1: bit tired of your ways. Well, well, no offense, Sam,
• 28:12
  Speaker 1: we can't afford to quarrel. Come over to the window
• 28:16
  Speaker 1: if you want to see the beauty properly, now hold
• 28:19
  Speaker 1: it to the light here, thank you. With a single spring,
• 28:24
  Speaker 1: Holmes had leapt from the dummy's chair and had grasped
• 28:27
  Speaker 1: the precious jewel. He held it now in one hand,
• 28:31
  Speaker 1: while his other pointed a revolver at the Count's head.
• 28:35
  Speaker 1: The two villains staggered back in utter amazement. Before they
• 28:39
  Speaker 1: had recovered, Holmes had pressed the electric bell. No violence, gentleman,
• 28:43
  Speaker 1: no violence I beg of you. Consider the furniture. It
• 28:46
  Speaker 1: must be very clear to you that your position is
• 28:49
  Speaker 1: an impossible one. The police are waiting below. The Count's
• 28:54
  Speaker 1: bewilderment overmastered his rage and fear. But how the deuce
• 28:59
  Speaker 1: he gasped. Your surprise is very natural. You are not
• 29:03
  Speaker 1: aware that a second door from my bedroom leads behind
• 29:07
  Speaker 1: that curtain. I fancied that you must have hurt me
• 29:10
  Speaker 1: when I displaced the figure, but luck was on my side.
• 29:14
  Speaker 1: It gave me a chance of listening to your racy conversation,
• 29:17
  Speaker 1: which would have been painfully constrained had you been aware
• 29:20
  Speaker 1: of my presence. The Count gave a gesture of resignation.
• 29:25
  Speaker 1: We give you best, Holmes. I believe you are the
• 29:29
  Speaker 1: devil himself, not far from him at any rate, Holmes
• 29:33
  Speaker 1: answered with a polite smile. Sam Merton's slow intellect had
• 29:37
  Speaker 1: only gradually appreciated the situation. Now as the sound of
• 29:42
  Speaker 1: heavy steps came from the stairs outside. He broke silence.
• 29:46
  Speaker 1: At last A fair cop said he but why say
• 29:51
  Speaker 1: what about that blooming fiddle? I hear it yet? Tut tut,
• 29:55
  Speaker 1: Holmes answered, you are perfectly right. Let it play. These
• 30:00
  Speaker 1: modern gramophones are a remarkable invention. There was an inrush
• 30:05
  Speaker 1: of police. The handcuffs clicked, and the criminals were led
• 30:09
  Speaker 1: to the waiting cab. Watson lingered with Holmes, congratulating him
• 30:14
  Speaker 1: upon this fresh leaf added to his laurels. Once more,
• 30:17
  Speaker 1: their conversation was interrupted by the imperturbable Billy with his
• 30:22
  Speaker 1: car tray. Lord cantlemere, Sir, show him up, Billy. This
• 30:27
  Speaker 1: is the eminent peer who represents the very highest interests,
• 30:31
  Speaker 1: said Holmes. He is an excellent and loyal person. But
• 30:35
  Speaker 1: rather of the old regime, shall we make him unbend?
• 30:41
  Speaker 1: Dare we venture upon a slight liberty? He knows we
• 30:45
  Speaker 1: may conjecture nothing of what has occurred. The door opened
• 30:49
  Speaker 1: to admit a thin, austeer figure with a hatchet face
• 30:53
  Speaker 1: and drooping mid Victorian whiskers, of a glossy blackness which
• 30:58
  Speaker 1: hardly corresponded with the rounded shoulders and feeble gait. Holmes
• 31:03
  Speaker 1: advanced affably and shook an unresponsive hand. How do you do,
• 31:08
  Speaker 1: Lord cantlemere. It is chilly for the time of year,
• 31:11
  Speaker 1: but rather warm indoors. May I take your overcoat? No,
• 31:16
  Speaker 1: I thank you, I will not take it off. Holmes
• 31:19
  Speaker 1: laid his hand insistently upon the sleeve. Pray allow me,
• 31:23
  Speaker 1: my dear friend, Doctor Watson would assure you that these
• 31:26
  Speaker 1: changes of temperature are most insidious. His lordship shook himself
• 31:31
  Speaker 1: free with some impatience. I am quite comfortable, sir. I
• 31:34
  Speaker 1: have no need to stay. I have simply looked in
• 31:37
  Speaker 1: to know how your self appointed task was progressing. It
• 31:41
  Speaker 1: is difficult, It's very difficult. I feared that you would
• 31:44
  Speaker 1: find it so. There was a distinct sneer in the
• 31:47
  Speaker 1: old courtier's words and manner. Every man finds his limitations,
• 31:52
  Speaker 1: mister Holmes. But at least it cures us of the
• 31:54
  Speaker 1: weakness of self satisfaction. Yes, Sir, I have been much perplexed,
• 31:59
  Speaker 1: no doubt, especially upon one point. Possibly you could help
• 32:04
  Speaker 1: me upon it. You apply for my advice rather late
• 32:07
  Speaker 1: in the day. I thought that you had your own
• 32:09
  Speaker 1: all sufficient methods. Still I am ready to help you.
• 32:14
  Speaker 1: You see, Lord Cantlemere, we can no doubt frame a
• 32:17
  Speaker 1: case against the actual thieves when you have caught them exactly.
• 32:22
  Speaker 1: But the question is, how shall we proceed against the receiver?
• 32:27
  Speaker 1: Is this not rather premature? It is as well to
• 32:30
  Speaker 1: have our plans ready. Now, what would you regard as
• 32:34
  Speaker 1: final evidence against the receiver? The actual possession of the stone?
• 32:40
  Speaker 1: You would arrest him upon that most undoubtedly. Holmes seldom laughed,
• 32:47
  Speaker 1: but he got as near it as his old friend
• 32:49
  Speaker 1: Watson could remember. In that case, my dear sir, I
• 32:53
  Speaker 1: shall be under the painful necessity of advising your arrest.
• 32:58
  Speaker 1: Lord Cantlemere was very, very angry. Some of the ancient
• 33:02
  Speaker 1: fires flickered up into his sallow cheeks. You take a
• 33:06
  Speaker 1: great liberty, mister Holmes. In fifty years of official life,
• 33:10
  Speaker 1: I cannot recall such a case. I am a busy manswer,
• 33:14
  Speaker 1: engaged upon important affairs, and I have no time or
• 33:17
  Speaker 1: taste for foolish jokes. I may tell you, frankly, sir,
• 33:21
  Speaker 1: that I have never been a believer in your powers,
• 33:23
  Speaker 1: and that I have always been of the opinion that
• 33:26
  Speaker 1: the matter was far safer in the hands of the
• 33:28
  Speaker 1: regular police force. Your conduct confirms all my conclusions. I
• 33:33
  Speaker 1: have the honor, sir, to wish you good evening. Holmes
• 33:37
  Speaker 1: had swiftly changed his position and was between the peer
• 33:40
  Speaker 1: and the door. One moment, Sir said he to actually
• 33:44
  Speaker 1: go off with the Mazarin stone would be a more
• 33:47
  Speaker 1: serious offense than to be found in temporary possession of it. Sir,
• 33:51
  Speaker 1: this is intolerable. Let me pass. Put your hand in
• 33:54
  Speaker 1: the right hand pocket of your overcoat. What do you mean, sir, Come, come,
• 33:59
  Speaker 1: do what I ask. An instant later, the amazed peer
• 34:03
  Speaker 1: was standing, blinking and stammering, with the great yellow stone
• 34:07
  Speaker 1: on his shaking palm. What what how is this, mister Holmes?
• 34:12
  Speaker 1: Too bad? Lord cantlemere, too bad, cried Holmes. My old
• 34:16
  Speaker 1: friend here will tell you that I have an impish
• 34:18
  Speaker 1: habit of practical joking, also that I can never resist
• 34:22
  Speaker 1: a dramatic situation. I took the liberty, the very great liberty,
• 34:26
  Speaker 1: I admit of putting the stone into your pocket. At
• 34:29
  Speaker 1: the beginning of our interview. The old peer stared from
• 34:33
  Speaker 1: the stone to the smiling face before him. Sir, I
• 34:37
  Speaker 1: am bewildered, but yes, it is indeed the Mazarins stone.
• 34:44
  Speaker 1: We are greatly your debtors. Mister Holmes, your sense of
• 34:48
  Speaker 1: humor may, as you admit, be somewhat perverted, and its
• 34:53
  Speaker 1: exhibition remarkably untimely. But at least I withdraw any reflection
• 34:58
  Speaker 1: I have made upon your amazing professional powers. But how
• 35:03
  Speaker 1: the case is but half finished, the details can wait,
• 35:07
  Speaker 1: no doubt, Lord Cantlemere, Your pleasure in telling of this
• 35:10
  Speaker 1: successful result in the exalted circle to which you return
• 35:15
  Speaker 1: will be some small atonement for my practical joke. Billy,
• 35:20
  Speaker 1: you will show his lordship out and tell Missus Hudson
• 35:23
  Speaker 1: that I should be glad if she would send up
• 35:25
  Speaker 1: dinner for two as soon as possible. That is the
• 35:32
  Speaker 1: end of the Adventure of the Mazarin Stone by Sir
• 35:38
  Speaker 1: Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio
• 35:44
  Speaker 1: twenty nineteen.