248
THE ORANGE-YELLOW DIAMOND
"Showed me it as soon as he got here," answered the attendant, surprised at Ayscough's amazement. "Said you'd given it to him, so that he could call here and identify the body. So, of course, I let him go in."
Ayscough opened his mouth in sheer amazement. But before he could get out a word, Mirandolet spoke, seizing the mortuary-keeper by the arm in his eagerness.
"You let that man—a Japanese—see the dead Chinaman—alone?" he demanded.
"Why, of course!" the attendant answered surlily. "He'd Mr. Ayscough's card, and—"
Mirandolet dropped the man's arm and threw up his own long white hands.
"Merciful Powers!" he vociferated. "He has stolen the diamond!"
