The Flying Stars by G. K. Chesterton. Short summary

5 seconds

A thief breaks into a rich man’s house and steals rare diamonds during a costume party. Father Brown exhorts the thief and he returns the stones.

1 minute

The famous French thief Flambeau tells of his latest crime.

On Christmas Day, he arrived at Colonel Adams’ house in the guise of Mr. Blount, the brother of the master’s deceased wife. The colonel, his daughter Ruby, the girl’s suitor, and her godfather, the millionaire Fisher, were there on the holiday evening.

The millionaire gave Ruby three large diamonds known as «Flying Stars.» The supposed Mr. Blount offers to put on a pantomime theater. He chooses the part of Harlequin and explains that his friend the actor dressed as a policeman is soon to arrive.

In the midst of the fun, the policeman appears. Harlequin drags him like a puppet, then leaves him on the floor and disappears. The policeman turns out to be a real detective, put to sleep by Flambeau’s chloroform.

Fisher discovers that the stones have been stolen. Father Brown catches up with Flambeau in a Harlequin costume, exhorts him and he gives the diamonds back.