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Updated: May 29, 2025
Strangwise mastered his rising passion by an obvious effort; but his face was evil as he spoke. "I put that Malplaquet woman off by appealing to her avarice," he said, "I've promised her and Bellward a thousand pounds apiece as their share of my reward for recovering the jewel. I only have to say the word, Okewood, and your number's up!
"No," answered the man reflectively, "but I think he will!" Mrs. Malplaquet laughed shrilly. "And how, may I ask? From what Strangwise told me himself, the thing has utterly vanished. And he doesn't seem to have any clue as to who has taken it!" "Perhaps not," replied Bellward, who appeared to have a high opinion of Strangwise, "but, like all Germans, our friend is thorough.
For Heaven's sake, leave the girl alone and let's save ourselves." "What?" cried Strangwise, "and abandon Minna!" "Minna is well able to look after herself," answered Bellward in a sulky voice, "it's a question of sauve qui peut now... every man for himself!" "No!" said Strangwise firmly, "we'll wait for Minna, Bellward. You exaggerate the danger.
In the booking-hall he inquired of a porter what time the express left for Bath, then went to the ticket office and took four first-class tickets to that place. Meanwhile, the car remained standing empty in the carriageway. Strangwise led his little party up some stairs and across a long bridge, down some stairs and up some stairs again, emerging, finally, at the Bakerloo Tube Station.
"Alive?" said Desmond. "The blood on that toque of hers might have been Rass's. There is a good deal of blood on the floor. You see, I still think Miss Mackwayte's safety depends on that jewel not being recovered by either Strangwise or Nur-el-Din.
Bellward and the woman mounted after her while Strangwise, after starting the engine, sprang into the driving-seat outside. With a low hum the big car glided forth into the cold, starry night. From the upper floor of the Dyke Inn came the sound of a woman's terrified sobs. Below there reigned the silence of death. Desmond drove to Wentfield Station in an angry and defiant mood.
Then from the yard below he heard Strangwise call: "Rufus! Rufus!" A heavy footstep sounded on the flags. Desmond remained perfectly still. The strain on his arms was tremendous. If Strangwise should go as far as the gate, so as to get clear of the yard, he must infallibly see that figure clinging to the window-sill. "Where the devil is that doggy" said Strangwise.
Strangwise remained motionless, his back now fully turned to Desmond, peering into the other garden. The garden in which the summer-house stood was oblong in shape and more than twice as broad as it was long. The pavilion was not more than forty yards from the back entrance of the house.
He stretched out his hand to Desmond as though he expected the other to produce the gem from his pocket. But Desmond rose to his feet and struck the hand contemptuously on one side. The smile had vanished from his face. "Are you sure that is all you have to say to me?" he asked. Strangwise had stood up as well. "Why, yes!" he said, "I think so!"
He was trying to piece things together as best as his aching head would allow. Both Nur-el-Din and Strangwise were after the jewel. Nur-el-Din believed that afternoon that Strangwise had it, while Strangwise, on discovering his loss, had seemed to suggest that Barbara Mackwayte had recovered it.
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