Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-18
CHAPTER IIA(continued.)

CHAPTER (Continued.)
II must beg your pardon, Mr.. Fair
fax" he said, in a totally different
voice to that in which he had Just
spoken. "When 1 remember how we
have been wronged. am apt to for
get myself. I trust you will forgive
me?"
II will do so willingly" answered.
You have certainly won the right
to be excused if you entertain feel
ing of resentment for the man who
has treated you SO shamefully And
now to resume our conversational"
What were you. about to say?"
II was about to ask you the num-
her and description of the stones of
which he robbed you. You told me
they numbered SO in all, if I remem-
Der Alright. Can you tell me how
many there were of each?"
."Forty-eight rubies and As sap
phires,' he replied without mo-
ment's hesitation. "The rubies were
uncut and of various sizes, ranging
perhaps from ten to eighty carats.
They were true rubies, not spinels,
remember that. The sapphires ran
from Is carats to 60. and there was
not a flaw amongst them"
HAS Hayle any knowledge of the
value of precious stones?"
There's not keener judge in the
east. He would tbe a cunning man
who would succeed in taking him in
about the value. of anything from a
moonstone to ruby
"In that case he would, in all prob
ability, know where to place them
to the best advantage?"
"You may be sure that was his in
tention in coming to England. But
we have tried Hatton Garden and
can hear nothing of him there"
He may have disposed of some of
them on the continent" I said
However, we will soon clear that
point up. The size of the larger
stones is so unusual that they would
be certain to attract attention. And
now one other question. Are you
aware whether he has any friends or
relatives in England?"
~
single relative in the world" Kitwa-
ter replied. Have you ever heard
of one, Goodbye"
The little man shook his head, and
then, taking the others hand, tapped
upon it with his fingers in the man
ner have already described.
He says Hayle had sister once,
OF whom he was very fond.' The
tapping upon the hand continued,
and once more Kitwater translated:
She was cripple, and lived in a
small house off the Brompton road.
She died while Hayle was in North
Borneo; is not that so, little man?"
Codd nodded his head to show that
Kitwater had interpreted him cor
rectly. then made some inquiries
as to the missing mans habits. So
far the description I had had of him
was commonplace in the extreme.
DO you know whether he shipped
on board the Jemadar for England
under his own name, or under an as
sumed one?"
"He booked his passage as George
~ooi u all, hlGWdUeT replied. we
know that is SO, for we made in
quiries at Rangoon."
/ next noted the name and address
of the vessels owner, and resolved to
pay him a visit next morning. 1t
would be hard if I could not learn
from him something concerning Mr..
Hayle, and where he had gone on,
landing.
81 think those are all the questions
want to ask you at present" said,
closing my notebook. ut would be
as well perhaps for you to furnish
me with your address, in order that
I may communicate with you, should
it be necessary"
.tAt present" said kitwater, eve are
staying with my niece at the village
Of Bishopstowe in Surrey. My late
brother was vicar of the parish for
many years, and he left his daughter
small property in the neighbour
hood. They tell me it il pretty
place, but, as you are aware, / unfor-
tunately cannot see it, and my
friend Codd here cannot talk to me
about it?" .