The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone by Arthur Conan Doyle

A priceless gem has been stolen from the royal collection, and Holmes must recover it while outsmarting a violent pair of criminals. The story is told in third-person—unusual for the canon—and features Holmes using a wax dummy and hidden eavesdropping to trap the culprits. The plot is compact and theatrical, relying on Holmes’s love of disguise and misdirection. Though brief, it captures his flair for drama and deception. A clever display of showmanship and strategy.