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to you？ I knew that you went out little； and that your circle of
friends was a very limited one。 But among them was Sir George
Burnwell。 I had heard of him before as being a man of evil
reputation among women。 It must have been he who wore those boots
and retained the missing gems。 Even though he knew that Arthur had
discovered him； he might still flatter himself that he was safe； for
the lad could not say a word without compromising his own family。
〃Well； your own good sense will suggest what measures I took next。 I
went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house； managed to pick
up an acquaintance with his valet； learned that his master had cut his
head the night before； and； finally； at the expense of six
shillings； made all sure by buying a pair of his cast…off shoes。
With these I journeyed down to Streatham and saw that they exactly
fitted the tracks。〃
〃I saw an ill…dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening；〃
said Mr。 Holder。
〃Precisely。 It was I。 I found that I had my man； so I came home
and changed my clothes。 It was a delicate part which I had to play
then； for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scandal；
and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hands were tied
in the matter。 I went and saw him。 At first； of course； he denied
everything。 But when I gave him every particular that had occurred； he
tried to bluster and took down a life…preserver from the wall。 I
knew my man； however； and I clapped a pistol to his head before he
could strike。 Then he became a little more reasonable。 I told him that
we would give him a price for the stones he held…L1000 apiece。 That
brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown。 'Why； dash
it all！' said he； 'I've let them go at six hundred for the three！' I
soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had them； on
promising him that there would be no prosecution。 Off I set to him；
and after much chaffering I got our stones at L1000 apiece。 Then I
looked in upon your son； told him that all was right； and eventually
got to my bed about two o'clock； after what I may call a really hard
day's work。〃
〃A day which has saved England from a great public scandal；〃 said
the banker； rising。 〃Sir； I cannot find the words to thank you； but
you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done。 Your skill
has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it。 And now I must fly to
my dear boy to apologize to him for the wrong which I done him。 As
to what you tell me of poor Mary； it goes to my very heart。 Not even
your skill can inform me where she is now。〃
〃I think that we may safely say；〃 returned Holmes； 〃that she is
wherever Sir George Burnwell is。 It is equally certain； too； that
whatever her sins are； they will soon receive a more than sufficient
punishment。〃
THE END
。