United States or Central African Republic ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He could do this better than almost any one in the world, and he could do nothing else well; therefore it was preordained that he should find his present position with some such firm as the Van Vrecks; and, being in it, adventures were bound to come. Many attempts to rob him had doubtless been made. One had lately succeeded. His nerves were in a wretched state.
"Quite so," replied Ruthven Smith, adding with pride: "But the Van Vrecks had enough money. They always have when a unique thing is for sale; and they are rich enough to wait for years, with their money locked up, till somebody comes along who wants the thing. That happened in the case of the Malindore diamond. The Van Vrecks hoped to sell it to Mr. Pierpont Morgan.
James has little hope that the thieves will be found, for he feels that the Van Vrecks are in for a run of bad luck, after the good fortune of many years. They have lost the head of the firm "the great Paul," as James calls him who has definitely retired, and occupies himself so exclusively with his collection that he takes no interest in the business.
James tells us that he procured the finest of the collection for the Van Vrecks, and as he is a great expert, and can recognize jewels he has once seen, even when disguised or cut up, or in different settings, he was asked to go to London to help the police find and identify some of the lost valuables.
What if the band of thieves supposed to be "working" lately in London should try to make him a cat's paw in bringing off their big haul? This was a terrifying idea, and more feasible than the one suggested by the anonymous writer, that Mrs. Nelson Smith should oh, certainly it seemed the wildest nonsense! Still, there was his duty to the Van Vrecks. They must be considered ahead of everything!
The Van Vrecks sent for him from England years ago. He buys jewels for the firm now, I believe. No doubt that's why he's in such a funk about burglars." "Fancy your knowing more about Mr. Smith than I know! Perhaps more than Mrs.
"Oh, yes, yes, I was robbed," he admitted. "A serious loss! Some fine pearls I had been buying not for myself, but for the Van Vrecks. I seldom collect valuables for myself. I only wish these things had been mine. I should not have that sense of being an unfaithful servant though I did my best " "Of course you did," Lady Cartwright soothed him.
Only fancy, poor Ruthven! He was afraid to stay even with us in our quiet house, when he came to London, because once, years ago, we were robbed! You know how reticent he is about his affairs, and how he never says anything concerning business. One might think that to us he would show some of the beautiful jewels he is supposed to buy for the Van Vrecks. But no, he never mentions them.
"I must think this out, and I must listen to Sir Elmer and go on giving him right answers, and I must look just as usual. I must! "For Knight's sake!" She seemed to hear the words whispered. Why for Knight's sake? Oh, but of course she must try to think how it would involve him if the blue diamond was the famous one stolen from the Van Vrecks' agent on the Monarchic!
I have tried to give the poor fellow a little consolation by reminding him how fortunate it is he hadn't bought more, and that the loss will be the Van Vrecks' or that of some insurance company, not his personally. But he cannot be comforted. He says that his not having ten thousand pounds' worth of pearls doesn't console him for being robbed of eight thousand pounds' worth.
Word Of The Day