Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-17

cheek, and an angry CLEAN In his eyes, OK
which Greengraves took mental note.
''Of course" said Gripper, when You
speak of its being impossible THAI any ono
could have had access to the key, you did
not include her ladyship?"
YES, / did" said Sir Richar! CURLY.
Mr.. Gripper raised his eyebrows.
"indeed?' said he.
Lady Fordyce and l occupy separate
a%partments.'
AS he stopped here, volunteering no fur
Their information, Gripper said:
MI Greengraves shaii take the matter
in hand without a moments waste of time.
1t is customary, l should add, in these mat
tiers TO deposit a small sum for working ex-
penses-threc guineas."
Sir Richard laid the money upon the table
and rose TO depart.
~ beg pardon, sir" said Grecngraves;
"the diamond was, | suppose, Il family
jewel?."
'Yc-Ss.'
Again the transient flash upon the cheek
and the momentary light in the eyes.
You could recognise it again, OF course,
il untouchcd?'
Eyes, | suppose; though you are not like
~ to find another diamond in the course OK
your researches" he answered quickly.
no, no; not likely replied Greengraves
| dreamily. II was thinking 1t might Tall in
to the hands OF a receiver, in which case It
might get mixed up with others. However,
you would know it, on her ladyship would"
Yet once again the cash and angry CLEAN.
at will be better for me at once TO tell
you," said Sir Richard, that her ladyship
is ignorant Of its existence or its loss, or OF
my having come to you. TRUST that it may
.,nt Ia fnn,J AZ. -, hold ontr Onnr-
munication with her upon the subject" .
in all probability it will not, y said Grip
per: 'and even in such q case, Sir Richard,
Mr.. Greengraves would not venturet to move
In the matter without irst consulting YOU"
rs that all you have to ask me?"
"At present, everything. :
"Would you kindly write on the back or
your card, sir" said Greengraves, handing
it to him.: Let bearer await my return
Are you going back home now?" }
"No.' l
"You may be away acouple OF hours"
IL have some business 10 attend to, and
possibly may not return 10 Fulham until
late"
IF YOU can call here then, sir. tomorrow
morning. | think we may be able TO give
you some information," said Gripper, rising
in his turn; and opening the door, he con-
Quoted Sir Richard to the top OF the stairs.
IN trouble you for two pounds two"
said GreengravcS, pacing. as he spoke, half
a-sovereign and siXpance Oh the table, and
Gripper meekly disgorged the specified
amount.
And what" said he, "do you say to his
job? Rum 'un, isn't it?'
Very" replied the other. ut wants
thinking out. Think we ought to have fol-
loSed him"
"Ihere'll be time enough for that, won't
there"
Il dare say. What's that"' }
At that moment the staircase-boll rang,
and the Old clerk Immediately afterwards
announced Mr.. Moss.
That's rum again." said Gripper.
"Rum is not the word, said Greengraves.
'Gripper," said a short stout gentleman,
bouncing into the room, dropping into q
seat. and wiping his hot fa"e with a cOiored
silk pochct-aandkcrchicf, Il want to give
you the office. No robbery, yon know-fair
and square. Above board. II you can do
ne any good I'll come q lwn proper"
Lost n diamond-eh" :
"(Vcll, yes, / have. How the DICKENS
about four %carat."'
1T was four carats. What tie deuel.
Worth a hundred and fifty"
"A trila less than that. \ hundred and
twenty-2iglt, or there 'b0uts-tlat would
be about The market value at that weight;
bnt how the dcU-'
Never mind that at present. Tell rs at
once why you came here instead Of going to
the Doiice?.'
well, L won't deceive You; il is simply
this: l suspect one Of my best customers
of being The thief, and / don't WaAs right Oh
and the mans name
"Benosa."
What, the Bond-street jewsllcr?v
yes; 1 am morally certain he has 20,
1t: bat you see lis a ticklish thing to bring
a charge OF that sort against a man in lis
position without one has all ones proofs. =
TO be sure. BY the way. while l think
of it, is Sir Richard Fordyce one Of you,
customersT'
Certainly he is, and its rather odd YOU
should ask, for l sold him the very fellow
10 the diamond l have lost the day before
yesterday, at a good price too
well" said Clipper to G~reengraves some
twenty minutes later as taey sat alone to
talk the matter over, "a queer c~ase-eh?"
Uncommon" said Greengraves. Lets
see now, my best way to Fulham is by the
Putney omnibus, isn't it.?'