'Well, that is very generous of you, Mr. Holmes. I brought the bust with me, as you asked me to do. Here it is!' He opened his bag, and finally we saw on our table a complete specimen of the bust which we had already seen more than once when it had already been broken.

Holmes put a ten-pound note upon the table. Then he took a paper from his pocket and said 'Please sign that paper, Mr. Sandeford, in the presence of these witnesses. It is simply to say that you transfer every possible right that you ever had in the bust to me. I am a methodical man, and I like to be ready for anything that might happen. Thank you, Mr. Sandeford; here is your money, and I wish you a very good evening.'

Our visitor departed. After that, Sherlock Holmes began to act very oddly. He started by taking a clean white cloth from a drawer and laying it over the table. Then he placed his newly acquired bust in the centre of the cloth. Finally, he picked up his hunting-crop and struck the bust hard on the top of its head. The bust broke into pieces, and Holmes bent eagerly over the shattered remains. Next instant, with a loud shout of triumph he held up one splinter. A round, dark object was stuck in this like a plum in a pudding.

'Gentlemen', Holmes announced, 'let me introduce you to the famous black pearl of the Borgias'.