The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-11-14

fesg said the latter, CHANGING
back, keys in hand.
Have you the diamond?"
Certainly mott"
Then who has it?"
No one had it. But the case was
empty.
Mr.. Anderson replaced the keys in
his pocket. His rudy face suddenly
had grown pale. Sir Michael Cayley,
the empty case in his hand, stood star
ing across the room like man dared.
Then he forced speech to his lips.
Gentlemen" he said. since It is
physically impossible for the diamond
to have left this room. in this room
1t must be searched for-and found.
First, is it by any chance upon the
hoor?'
A brief examination showed that It
was not.
Then" continued Sir Michael. the
! painful conclusion is unavoidable thar
II is upon. some ones person?
An angry murmur arose. Mr.. An
derson raised his hand.
| Gentlemen" he said, 'Sir Michael
| states no more than the fact"
| And, his face remaining very pale,
| he removed his coat and waistcoat
and threw them upon the table, emp
tied his trousers pockets and turned
| out the Innings.
BE good enough to examine them.
gentlemen" he said.
There was a momentary hesitation;
but the Lord Mayor stepped forward
and in a businesslike way examined
the contents of the several pockets.
He turned to Mr.. Anderson.
Thank you" he said. IF the others
are satisfied, / am"
| There was a murmur of assent, and
as the owner of the office picked up
his property, Sir Michael. in turn. sub
| mitted himself to examination
All the others followed suit, with
out further hesitation. And the re-
suit OF the inquiry was nil.
Eight anxious faces surrounded the
\ little table.
Il suggest" said Mr.. Anderson.
quietly, that we admit the detective.
His experience may enable him to sue
coed where we have failed"
All agreeing, the communicating
door was opened. Mr.. Anderson. with
out quitting the room, called to In
| spector Grimsby. The inspector en-
tered. The door was relocked-
Inspector" said Mr.. Anderson. the
diamond is missingE
whereupon Grimsby's eyes opened
widely in amazement.
Are you sure, sir?"
unfortunately. i cannot doubt it."
| When did you last see it?'
AT the moment when that uproar
broke out, below" said Mr.. Dell.
"Ah, murmured Grimsby, thought
fully. You all rushed to the window.
1 expect?"
| Exactly"
Leaving the diamond on the table?"
| Yes"
| That's when it was stolenr
| Very possibly. inspector" said the
Lord Mayor. a stoutly built man with
an imperious manner. But who took
it and where did he conceal it?"
You must all submit to be search
| ed, gentlemen"
I'VE have already done So"
Il am more used to that sort Of
thing. Do you all agree to being
searched by met"
All did. The previous performance
was repeated. Grimsby not only
searched the garments, but passed his
hands all over the persons OF the
eight. even making them open their
mouths and tapping at their teeth
with a lead pencil!
| But no diamond was foundi
Having convinced himself that the
diamond was not upon the person of
any one present, Inspector Grimsby
took but two or three minutes to
satisfy himself that it was not con-
cealed elsewhere.
Blue Rajah is not in this room"
The Lord Mayor glared. He was
director of the company with which
the diamond was insured.
Then We are wasting precious
time" cried Sir Michael Commence
the pursuit at once. inspector"
Grimsby's jaw shot out doggedly.
IF you could give me a hint where
to begin, sir" he said, Il shouldn't
waste another second"
Hang it all, that's your business.
my man."
Il know it is. sir But I'm only
poor human policeman. after all.
We sha'n't gain anything by getting
angry. shall WEI"
Sir Michael softened, Inspector
| Grimsby is not man who can be
Quite right. inspector" he said. Il
recognize the difficulties. But this
loss is horrible. 1t reflects upon all
of us-ar of us! II the news of this
] theft leaks outfit the stone cannot
| be recovered-a certain stigma q
cannot blind myself to the facO. a
certain stigma will attach TO our COM
mercial integrity. Clean as our records
are, we cannot escape it For Gods
sake. inspector. set your wits to
work."
Indeed. those were anxious faces
that surrounded the detective. Sudden
ly-
ALI cried the Lord Mayor. the
man Klaw! On his own showing he
knows something of this matter! Mr..
Grimsby-"
Grimsby held up his hand and nod
ded.
with your permission, gentlemen"
| he said, II will try to get into COM
munication with Morris Klaw at once"
Good" said Mr.. Anderson; "and
meanwhile, while We await the result
of your efforts, inspector, ! suggest, in
the interests of all, that we lunch in
my Office It may be inconvenient for
many of you, but for my own part
am anxious to remain on these prem
Uses until we have news of the where
abouts of the diamond"
In this way, then. l found myself
concerned in the case-for Grimsby
fastened to call me up, begging me
to urge the retiring Morris Klaw to
quit his Mapping haunt to which he
chung like Diogenes to his wooden
cavern. and to journey to Moorgate
street.
Since evidently he had apprehended
that an attempt would be made this
morning, 1 did not doubt that he would
be at home. Indeed he rang me up
less than half an hour later and ar
ranged to meet me at Mr.. Anderson's
office.
81 warned him, that Lord Mayor"
came his rumbling Continental tones
along the wire, how he must not let
Il out of his sight. He ignored me. So,
Ring him up Immediately and tell him