text: , but the cotton protects your ears. Holmes claps his hands to his ears in an attempt to protect them. The clapper swings up within reach.
  
  Do you want to continue waiting?
  
  > get the sapphire
  You remove the sapphire from the clapper.
  
  Holmes beams at you and says, "Good show, old fellow."
  
  [Your score just went up by 5 points. The total is now 45 out of
  100.]
  
  > examine the sapphire
  It looks as if there is a scratch on the sapphire.
  
  > look at sapphire with the glass
  You see "2:00 a.m." scratched into the surface of the sapphire.
  
  > Down
  You descend the stairs into the entrance hall of the House of Commons.
  
  The Chamber is closed, but off to one side you see a flight of old stone steps leading up into the darkness.
  
  Your friend enters and begins pacing back and forth nervously.
  
  > go northwest
  This is an attractive square at the foot of Whitehall. Through the mist you see the entrance to the Houses of Parliament to the southeast. To the west is Birdcage Walk. Broad Sanctuary goes off to the southwest, and Whitehall disappears into the gloom to the north.
  
  The detective follows you and begins pacing back and forth nervously.
  
  > go west
  As you enter Birdcage Walk, your attention is diverted to a man who has set up a small souvenir stand near where the parade will pass on Tuesday. Oblivious to the fact that there are no crowds here to buy his wares, he is waving a handful of overpriced trinkets over his head.
  
  As soon as he sees you, the salesman says, "'Ere, Guv. Come early for the parade, 'ave you? There'll be thousands of people, you know. Now at the last Jubilee - about a year and a 'alf ago, as I remembers it - I could 'ardly see a fing. But if you was to buy one of my telescopes, you wouldn't 'ardly 'ave any problem, now would you? 'Ow 'bout it, Guv?"
  
  Your companion joins you and starts looking around with interest.
  
  > buy the telescope
  You give the pound note to the vendor. He looks suprised that you didn't try to haggle with him, says, "Thank you, guv'nor. Enjoy it in good 'ealth," and hands you the telescope.
  
  > Haggle
  [Whom do you want to haggle with?]
  
  > Haggle with vendor
  "Alright, guv. For you I'll come down to me special Jubilee price of Nineteen and six. 'Ow about it?"
  
  > Haggle with vendor
  "It'll break me poor wife's 'eart, me comin' 'ome wif so little. But times is 'ard. Nineteen shillings. Not a farthing less."
  
  > buy the telescope
  You give the pound note to the vendor. He gives you a shilling for change, and hands you the telescope.
  
  [Your score just went up by 1 point. The total is now 46 out of
  100.]
  
  > Bank of England
  "Right-o."
  
  The cab speeds through the streets, whizzing past famous landmarks. Only a few minutes later, you arrive at your destination.
  
  You enter Threadneedle Street and are now in front of the Bank of England. The entrance to the bank is to the north, Cheapside leads off to the west, and King William Street disappears off into the darkness to the southeast. On the wall is a small sign.
  
  A bank guard is lounging up against the wall, idly jangling some keys in his pocket while he watches a group of urchins playing in the street.
  
  Wiggins is here.
  
  > give shilling to Wiggins
  Wiggins looks at the shilling and then at you. After a few moments he stuffs it deep into the recesses of his clothing and says, "I'm all yours. Wot's the plan?"
  
  > steal keys
  Wiggins casually strolls past the guard and says, "Cor blimey. That bird isn't 'alf built, is she?" While the guard's attention is diverted, Wiggins's hand flashes in and out of his pocket. Then just as casually as before, he strolls back to you, slips something into your hand, and whispers, "Sorry I couldn't get everything, guv. I 'ope this is enough."
  
  [Your score just went up by 1 point. The total is now 47 out of
  100.]
  
  > look at the keys
  You can't see them. They're in the guard's pocket.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are wearing:
  your hat.
  a whistle.
  You have in your ears:
  some cotton balls.
  You are holding:
  a key.
  a telescope.
  a sapphire.
  your coat.
  a magnifying glass.
  an opal.
  a pacquet of paper.
  a pigeon.
  a black bag.
  a ring.
  a lamp (providing light).
  In your lapel you see:
  a carnation
  In the pacquet of paper you see:
  a blue piece of paper
  a green piece of paper
  an orange piece of paper
  a white piece of paper
  a yellow piece of paper
  In the black bag you see:
  a clue paper
  a pistol
  an old book
  a matchbook
  a pipe
  a brown piece of paper
  a brown bottle
  a blue bottle
  a stethoscope
  an ampoule of etherium
  a crayon
  a knife
  
  > go north
  The guard stops you as you try to enter. "Excuse me, sir. You can't go in there. And don't even THINK about trying to bribe me."
  
  > bribe the guard
  [What do you want to bribe the guard with?]
  
  > bribe the guard with the ring
  The guard examines what you are offering and then declines your bribe.
  
  "If you expect me to let you in there, you'll have to offer me something a lot more valuable than that."
  
  > bribe the guard with the opal
  "Now this is very nice. But I think I would need more than just one to make letting you in worth my while. I'll hold this for you until you come back."
  
  > give the sapphire to guard
  "This is even more beautiful than the other one. But it isn't worth taking the risk for only two of them."
  
  > Inventory
  You are wearing:
  your hat.
  a whistle.
  You have in your ears:
  some cotton balls.
  You are holding:
  a key.
  a telescope.
  your coat.
  a magnifying glass.
  a pacquet of paper.
  a pigeon.
  a black bag.
  a ring.
  a lamp (providing light).
  In your lapel you see:
  a carnation
  In the pacquet of paper you see:
  a blue piece of paper
  a green piece of paper
  an orange piece of paper
  a white piece of paper
  a yellow piece of paper
  In the black bag you see:
  a clue paper
  a pistol
  an old book
  a matchbook
  a pipe
  a brown piece of paper
  a brown bottle
  a blue bottle
  a stethoscope
  an ampoule of etherium
  a crayon
  a knife
  
  > go to the west
  You enter the North Transept of the Abbey, which is dominated by a beautiful rose window set high into the wall.
  
  A shaft of sunlight comes through the stained-glass window, lighting up one of the tombs, and relieving the general gloom of the Abbey's dark interior.
  
  The detective enters and begins pacing back and forth nervously.
  
  > Go southwest
  You return to the Nave. Amidst the massive columns, one tomb in particular catches your attention.
  
  Your companion follows you.
  
  > Go west
  You are standing in the midst of a crowd of tourists in front of the west door of Westminster Abbey. The towers of the Abbey soar high above you, and you marvel at this perfect example of Gothic architecture, as generations have done before you.
  
  The Abbey door is open.
  
  On the wall next to the door is a small, discreet sign.
  
  Holmes drifts along after you, apparently lost in thought.
  
  > Go northeast
  This is an attractive square at the foot of Whitehall. Large crowds mill around the entrance to the Houses of Parliament to the southeast. To the west is Birdcage Walk. Broad Sanctuary goes off to the southwest, and Whitehall is to the north.
  
  Your friend walks alongside you.
  
  In the distance, you hear Big Ben strike the hour.
  
  > go to the west
  As you enter Birdcage Walk, your attention is diverted to a man who has set up a small souvenir stand near where the parade will pass on Tuesday. Hoping to attract the attention of the crowd, he is waving a handful of overpriced trinkets over his head.
  
  As soon as he sees you, the salesman ignores everyone else and says, "'Ere, Guv. Come early for the parade, 'ave you? There'll be thousands of people, you know. Now at the last Jubilee - about a year and a 'alf ago, as I remembers it - I could 'ardly see a fing. But if you was to buy one of my telescopes, you wouldn't 'ardly 'ave any problem, now would you? 'Ow 'bout it, Guv?"
  
  The detective trails along after you.
  
  > buy the telescope
  You give the pound note to the vendor. He gives you a shilling for change, and hands you the telescope.
  
  [Your score just went up by 1 point. The total is now 28 out of
  100.]
  
  > ask for the pigeon
  [spoken to Sherman]
  Sherman hands you the bird. "Take good care of him, now. I've grown fond of him."
  
  [Your score just went up by 1 point. The total is now 29 out of
  100.]
  
  > go east
  You emerge from Sherman's shop into Pinchin Lane, a dingy little alley that runs north to Cheapside.
  
  To the west is the entrance to Sherman's shop.
  
  Holmes follows you and begins pacing back and forth nervously.
  
  > Go north
  This is a ramshackle part of town, with dark alleys leading off the main street, which continues east and west. Pinchin Lane leads off to the south.
  
  Your friend joins you and starts looking around with interest.
  
  > Go west
  The quality of the neighborhood seems to be improving as you walk westward along New Oxford Street.
  
  The detective follows you.
  
  > Go south
  You enter Covent Garden, which is the central market for all of London. Everywhere you look there are stalls packed with produce from the English countryside.
  
  The open-air market is crowded with housewives who are shopping for fruits and vegetables.
  
  After looking around for a few moments, you see a crowd of women gathered around a girl who has collapsed on the ground. Her lifeless hand clutches a bunch of flowers.
  
  Your companion drifts along after you, apparently lost in thought.
  
  > put all in the bag
  The pigeon: The pigeon flies about in a panic for a few moments and then flies right back into your hands.
  The telescope: Done.
  The shilling: Done.
  The old book: Done.
  The pistol: Done.
  Captain Bligh's oar: You look at Captain Bligh's oar. You look at the tiny bag. You look at the tiny bag. You look at Captain Bligh's oar. Slowly it dawns on you that it's just not going to work.
  The magnifying glass: Done.
  The lamp: You look at the lamp. You look at the tiny bag. You look at the tiny bag. You look at the lamp. Slowly it dawns on you that it's just not going to work.
  The green piece of paper: Done.
  The brown piece of paper: Done.
  The orange piece of paper: Done.
  The pacquet of paper: You look at the pacquet of paper. You look at the tiny bag. You look at the tiny bag. You look at the pacquet of paper. Slowly it dawns on you that it's just not going to work.
  The clue paper: Done.
  The stethoscope: Done.
  
  > get the blue bottle
  You take the blue bottle out of the black bag.
  
  > get the stethoscope
  You take the stethoscope out of the black bag.
  
  > put the stethoscope in the ears
  You put the stethoscope in your ears.
  
  > listen to the girl
  Her heartbeat is incredibly slow.
  
  > open brown bottle
  You open the brown bottle.
  Inside you see a yellow pill.
  
  > get the yellow pill
  You take the yellow pill out of the brown bottle.
  
  > give the yellow pill to the girl
  You give her the yellow pill.
  
  Nothing happens for a moment, but then her eyelids flutter briefly and she opens her eyes.
  
  The crowd breaks into applause, and they help her to her feet. When she is standing, she smiles at you shyly and puts a lovely carnation in your lapel as a gesture of thanks.
  
  Just then, a distinguished-looking gentleman appears on the scene, takes her by the arm, and says, "Come, Eliza. We mustn't be late for the ball."
  
  He escorts her away, but as she leaves, she glances back at you once more with a grateful expression in her lovely eyes.
  
  [Your score just went up by 5 points. The total is now 34 out of
  100.]
  
  > remove the stethoscope
  You take the stethoscope out of your ears.
  
  > open the brown bottle
  It is already open.
  
  > go south
  In the distance, you hear Big Ben strike the hour.
  
  You enter the Strand, which is the heart of London's theatre district.
  
  Crowds are gathering in front of the theatres, trying to select a show to see later in the day. Streets lead off to the north, east, and southwest.
  
  Holmes walks alongside you.
  
  > go to the southwest
  Pigeons, pigeons, everywhere. You are standing in one of the great open spaces of London, named for Nelson's naval victory over Napoleon in 1805. Streets come in and go out at all angles, and everywhere you look there are people feeding pigeons.
  
  The square is dominated by Nelson's Column, a 167 foot tall Corinthian column with a statue of Nelson on the top and a bronze relief on the pedestal at the bottom.
  
  The entrance to the Diogenes Club is to the west.
  
  Your friend trails along after you.
  
  > look through the telescope
  Everything appears much closer.
  
  > look at Nelson
  The statue of Admiral Lord Nelson is perched high above you, on top of the column.
  
  > look at Nelson through the telescope
  You would have to be holding the telescope to do that.
  
  > get the telescope
  You take the telescope out of the black bag.
  
  > look at Nelson through the telescope
  You focus the telescope on the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson.
  
  You can see a ruby in Nelson's blind eye.
  
  > show the ruby to the pigeon
  The pigeon looks interested.
  
  > look at Nelson through the telescope
  You can see a ruby in Nelson's blind eye.
  
  > shoot the glass
  Clever thinking. If only you had something to shoot with!
  
  > get the pistol
  You take the pistol out of the black bag.
  
  The pigeon seems to lose interest.
  
  > look at the eye through the telescope
  You focus the telescope on Nelson's blind eye.
  
  You can see a ruby in Nelson's blind eye.
  
  > look at the ruby through the telescope
  You focus the telescope on the ruby.
  
  It appears much closer now.
  
  > show the ruby to the pigeon
  The pigeon looks interested.
  
  > wait
  Time passes...
  
  The pigeon circles above you.
  
  Do you want to continue waiting?
  
  > call the pigeon
  The pigeon ignores you, intent on its task.
  
  The pigeon circles above you.
  
  > look
  Pigeons, pigeons, everywhere. You are standing in one of the great open spaces of London, named for Nelson's naval victory over Napoleon in 1805. Streets come in and go out at all angles, and everywhere you look there are people feeding pigeons.
  
  The square is dominated by Nelson's Column, a 167 foot tall Corinthian column with a statue of Nelson on the top and a bronze relief on the pedestal at the bottom.
  
  The entrance to the Diogenes Club is to the west.
  
  Your companion's lean, severe face gives away none of his thoughts.
  
  The pigeon circles above you for the last time, and flies out of sight.
  
  > show the carnation to the pigeon
  The pigeon doesn't seem to be interested in the carnation.
  
  The pigeon circles above you for the last time, and flies out of sight.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are wearing:
  your hat.
  your coat.
  a whistle.
  In your lapel you see:
  a carnation
  You have in your ears:
  some cotton balls.
  You are holding:
  a pistol.
  a telescope.
  a brown bottle.
  a stethoscope.
  a blue bottle.
  a pigeon.
  Captain Bligh's oar.
  a lamp (providing light).
  a pacquet of paper.
  a black bag.
  In the blue bottle you see:
  an orange pill
  In the pacquet of paper you see:
  a white piece of paper
  a yellow piece of paper
  a blue piece of paper
  In the black bag you see:
  a clue paper
  an orange piece of paper
  a brown piece of paper
  a green piece of paper
  a magnifying glass
  an old book
  a shilling
  an ampoule of etherium
  a crayon
  a matchbook
  a pipe
  a knife
  In the pipe you see:
  some tobacco
  
  > get the telescope
  You are already holding the telescope.
  
  > look at Nelson through the telescope
  You can see a ruby in Nelson's blind eye.
  
  > shoot ruby
  You shoot the ruby, which shatters and disappears.
  
  > get ruby
  The pigeon trembles with excitement.
  
  > release the pigeon
  The pigeon flies up into the air, gets the ruby, and starts to circle high over your head.
  
  > show the carnation to the pigeon
  The pigeon doesn't seem to be interested in the carnation.
  
  The pigeon circles above you.
  
  > call the pigeon
  The pigeon ignores you, intent on its task.
  
  The pigeon circles above you for the last time, and flies out of sight.
  
  > Pinchin lane
  "Right-o."
  
  The cab speeds through the streets, deftly weaving in and out of the jubilee traffic and whizzing past famous landmarks. Only a few minutes later, you arrive at your destination.
  
  The cab stops in Pinchin Lane, a dingy little alley that runs north to Cheapside.
  
  To the west is the entrance to Sherman's shop.
  
  > Go west
  Sherman's shop is dingy and cramped. Dozens of empty cages are stacked up against the walls.
  
  Your friend drifts in after you, apparently lost in thought.
  
  Sherman says, "Welcome back. It's a pleasure to see you again."
  
  > ask Sherman about pigeon
  Sherman says, "He came back with a ruby. I don't know where he found it." He gives you the ruby.
  
  Holmes looks at you approvingly and says, "Bravo, Watson. Well done, old chap."
  
  [Your score just went up by 5 points. The total is now 39 out of
  100.]
  
  > Go east
  You emerge from Sherman's shop into Pinchin Lane, a dingy little alley that runs north to Cheapside.
  
  To the west is the entrance to Sherman's shop.
  
  The detective follows you and begins pacing back and forth nervously.
  
  > Madame tussaud'S
  "Right-o."
  
  The cab speeds through the streets, deftly weaving in and out of the jubilee traffic and whizzing past famous landmarks. Only a few minutes later, you arrive at your destination.
  
  You find yourself in a cab in front of Madame Tussaud's famous wax museum. From here the street continues east and west.
  
  The museum is closed for renovations, and there is a guard and a dog patrolling the street outside the entrance, which is just to the north of you. The guard lights a cigarette, tips his hat, and says, "Good day, Mr Holmes."
  
  > examine the ruby
  It looks as if there is a scratch on the ruby.
  
  > examine the scratch
  It looks like very tiny writing.
  
  In the distance, you hear Big Ben strike the hour.
  
  > read the scratch
  It is too tiny.
  
  > examine the ruby with the glass
  You would have to be holding the magnifying glass to do that.
  
  > look at the ruby with the glass
  You see "Wear a carnation" scratched into the surface of the ruby.
  
  Holmes says, "It's obviously not one of the Crown Jewels, Watson. In fact, this gem belongs to the Agra treasure, which was stolen in India many years ago and has never been recovered."
  
  "The case grows more complex, Watson. We are in more danger than I had at first suspected." He removes a ring from one of his long, slender fingers and hands it to you. "Here, Watson. Take this signet ring of mine. If anything should happen to me, take it to my brother Mycroft at the Diogenes Club. He'll tell you what to do."
  
  [Your score just went up by 1 point. The total is now 40 out of
  100.]
  
  > drop all
  The matchbook: Dropped.
  The magnifying glass: Dropped.
  The ruby: Dropped.
  The pistol: Dropped.
  The telescope: Dropped.
  The brown bottle: Dropped.
  The stethoscope: Dropped.
  The blue bottle: Dropped.
  Captain Bligh's oar: Dropped.
  The pacquet of paper: Dropped.
  The black bag: Dropped.
  
  > get the bag
  You take the black bag.
  
  > get the pipe
  You take the pipe out of the black bag.
  
  > open the matchbook
  You open the matchbook.
  Inside you see a match.
  
  > Light pipe
  [with the match]
  After a few puffs, the pipe fires right up.
  
  > go north
  You come in off the street and are now standing in the lobby.
  
  All around you are wax statues of famous people. To the west is a dark and ominous-looking doorway with a sign over it. The exit to the street is to the south.
  
  Holmes drops to his hands and knees and begins a minute examination of the floor. After a few moments he cries, "Aha! Look here, Watson." He points to a miniscule speck of ash on the floor.
  
  [Your score just went up by 1 point. The total is now 41 out of
  100.]
  
  > ask the Sherlock about the ash
  "Note the characteristic texture, Watson. It is the ash of a Trichinopoly cigar, which is made from the dark tobacco that grows only in the Madras district of India.
  
  Unless I miss my guess, Watson, our mastermind friend has joined forces with an Indian accomplice who does his dirty work for him."
  
  > Go west
  You enter the Chamber of Horrors. Scattered around the room are wax groupings of some of the most gruesome scenes from English history. The only exit is to the east.
  
  Your companion trails along after you.
  
  > examine scenes
  The statues are of Guy Fawkes, Charles I, and Saint Thomas Becket.
  
  > look at Fawkes
  The statue depicts Guy Fawkes crouched behind some barrels of gunpowder. He is awaiting the signal to light his torch and set off the trail of gunpowder that will blow up Parliament. The torch he holds looks like a real one.
  
  > Light gunpowder
  [with the tobacco]
  You would have to be holding that part of the statue to light it.
  
  > get the gunpowder
  Holmes looks at you grimly and says, "Impossible."
  
  > Light torch
  [with the tobacco]
  You would have to be holding the torch to light it.
  
  > Light axe with pipe
  You can't light the axe.
  
  The pipe has gone out.
  
  > Go north
  The dog barks loudly and the guard says, "Seeing as how it's you, Mr Holmes, I don't mind letting you in. But as you know we are very afraid of fire here, so we have trained this dog to detect matches or open flames. I'm afraid I can't allow you or your companion to enter until the match has been discarded."
  
  > drop the match
  You drop the match.
  
  The match flickers and dies.
  
  > go north
  You come in off the street and are now standing in the lobby.
  
  All around you are wax statues of famous people. To the west is a dark and ominous-looking doorway with a sign over it. The exit to the street is to the south.
  
  Holmes drops to his hands and knees and begins a minute examination of the floor. After a few moments he cries, "Aha! Look here, Watson." He points to a miniscule speck of ash on the floor.
  
  [Your score just went up by 1 point. The total is now 41 out of
  100.]
  
  > Chop head
  [with the knife]
  The wax head wobbles slightly. Holmes says, "Even when he was alive, he didn't have his head screwed on right."
  
  > take the head
  You take the wax head.
  
  > Light head
  [with the tobacco]
  You can't light the wax head.
  
  > put the pipe in the torch
  Your friend looks at you grimly and says, "Impossible."
  
  > break ampoule
  You would have to be holding the ampoule of etherium to do that.
  
  > get the ampoule
  You take the ampoule of etherium out of the black bag.
  
  > break ampoule
  Holmes stops you. "Do try to be discreet, old boy. My research is supposed to be kept secret."
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are wearing:
  your hat.
  your coat.
  a whistle.
  In your lapel you see:
  a carnation
  You have in your ears:
  some cotton balls.
  You are holding:
  an ampoule of etherium.
  a wax head.
  an axe.
  a pipe.
  a black bag.
  a ring.
  In the pipe you see:
  some tobacco
  In the black bag you see:
  a clue paper
  an orange piece of paper
  a brown piece of paper
  a green piece of paper
  an old book
  a shilling
  a crayon
  a knife
  
  > Burn book
  [taking the old book out of the black bag first].
  [with the tobacco]
  Perfect example of a typically repressive Victorian mentality.
  
  > get the orange piece of the paper
  You take the orange piece of paper out of the black bag.
  
  > Burn orange piece of paper
  [with the tobacco]
  The paper catches fire quickly.
  
  The orange piece of paper vanishes in a poof of smoke.
  
  > get the pacquet
  You take the pacquet of paper.
  
  The match flickers and dies.
  
  > Light pacquet
  [with the tobacco]
  You can't light the pacquet of paper.
  
  > Go west
  You enter the house and pause in the entry hall. The door to the parlour is to the north, and a flight of well-worn stairs leads up to the first floor.
  
  Your companion enters and begins pacing back and forth nervously.
  
  > Go upwards
  You climb the stairs and pause outside the door. You are on a landing at the top of the stairs.
  
  Holmes's study is to the north.
  
  Holmes drifts in after you, apparently lost in thought.
  
  > Go north
  You return to Holmes's study, which is in its usual disarray.
  
  The bedroom door to the west is open. The only other exit is the door to the south.
  
  You see a persian slipper. You see some mail on the mantelpiece.
  
  Your friend walks into the room alongside you.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are wearing:
  your hat.
  your coat.
  a whistle.
  You are holding:
  a telescope.
  a shilling.
  an old book.
  a pistol.
  Captain Bligh's oar.
  a magnifying glass.
  a lamp (providing light).
  a green piece of paper.
  a brown piece of paper.
  an orange piece of paper.
  a pacquet of paper.
  a clue paper.
  a stethoscope.
  a black bag.
  In the pacquet of paper you see:
  a white piece of paper
  a yellow piece of paper
  a blue piece of paper
  In the black bag you see:
  an ampoule of etherium
  a crayon
  a matchbook
  a pipe
  a knife
  a brown bottle
  a blue bottle
  In the pipe you see:
  some tobacco
  
  > take the mail
  You take the mail off of the mantelpiece.
  
  > Go south
  You leave the study and pause outside the door. You are on a landing at the top of the stairs.
  
  Holmes's study is to the north.
  
  The detective enters and begins pacing back and forth nervously.