The Crown Diamond

The Crown Diamond is a one-act Sherlock Holmes stage play written by Arthur Conan Doyle, later expanded into the short story "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone." In this compact drama, Holmes attempts to recover a spectacular stolen diamond (part of the Crown Jewels) from an aristocratic thief in a single evening. The action unfolds in one room where Holmes employs a daring ruse: using a wax dummy of himself to draw out the culprits while he eavesdrops in disguise nearby. Taut and clever, the play is rich with Holmes's signature deductive tricks – from secret listening devices to bold confrontation – all within about twenty minutes of stage time. Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade have supporting roles, mostly marveling at Holmes's theatrics. The Crown Diamond offers a crystalized dose of Holmesian suspense and ingenuity, written specifically for the theater. Doyle's playful use of a dummy to deceive villains gives the audience the delightful experience of outwitting criminals alongside the Great Detective.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish author, physician, and spiritualist best known for creating the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. Born in Edinburgh, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where his storytelling talent began to emerge alongside his scientific education. Though initially practicing as a doctor, Doyle turned to writing to support himself, eventually achieving worldwide fame with the publication of A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Beyond detective fiction, he explored historical novels, science fiction, and supernatural themes, notably in the Professor Challenger series. A passionate advocate for justice, he was involved in several real-life legal investigations. In his later years, Doyle became deeply involved in spiritualism, dedicating much of his time and writings to life after death. His legacy endures as one of the most influential figures in literary history.