that the brasswork of one lock at least had been considerably filed.
"I proceeded to examine the trunk with the aid of a powerful glass."
"Now, answer me this, Mr. Ashburton," I remarked. "Have you the faintest idea when and where that lock could have been tampered with? "
"I have not," he exclaimed with strong emphasis. "On my soul, I have not," he added, with a fervency that I felt sure could not have been assumed.
I returned to Lord Middlewick, who exclaimed impatiently—
"Well, what's the result now, Donovan?"
"Do you give me carte blanche to act as I like in this matter?"
"I do," he answered.
"Good; then I shall proceed to Colombo at once."
His lordship seemed to think that such a step was unnecessary; but I told him that it was my custom always to begin at the fountain-head in such cases. And in this particular one it was of the highest importance to endeavour, by every possible means, to determine whether the robbery had been effected in transit, or before the box containing the stone was removed from Colombo. As he came to see the whole matter from my point of view, he offered no further argument against the course I proposed, and within two days from that time I was travelling express to Brindisi, to catch the outward-bound P. and O. steamer for the East.
No news had reached Colombo of the loss of the stone when I arrived there, and I had kept my mission a secret from everyone. My first step was to seek an interview with Mr. Jeeheboy, a sedate, dignified Indian gentleman, who received me with the most business-like courtesy; and I at once began to study him, but saw nothing in his manner or style that suggested in the slightest degree the likelihood of his being a party to the theft. After a few preliminary remarks, I said—
"You have recently sold a very fine specimen of a cat's-eye to Lord Middlewick, I understand?
"I have," he answered; "and I believe it to be one of the finest stones of its kind the world has ever produced."
"You saw it packed, and delivered into the safe keeping of his lordship's agent, did you not?"
"Undoubtedly I did," he exclaimed, as his countenance lighted up with a look of anxious interest.
"You have no manner of doubt in your own mind that the stone was in the box when the box was secured and sealed by you?"
The question caused Mr. Jeeheboy to start visibly, and, though it could not be said that his dusky face grew pale, there were indications in it that clearly betrayed how agitated he was. His dark eyes peered into mine, and for some moments he remained silent, as though somewhat at a loss how to answer me. But at last he said—
"Sir, your question alarms me, for it seems to suggest that something is wrong. I will answer you, however, to the point at once. I am as certain that the cat's-eye was in the box when I set my seal upon it as I am that I am a living man, and talking to you!"
