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And yet the very cigar-case that he had been told was the one he admired at Lockhart's had proved beyond question to be one purchased from Walen's! If he decided to violate his promise and tell the whole story nobody would believe him. The thing was altogether too wild and improbable for that. And yet, he reflected, things almost as impossible happen in Brighton every day.
"And you will be sure later on to find that he had a hand in the purchase of the other cigar-case from Walen's. Go to Marley's and get him to make inquiries as to whether or not Walen's got their case down on approval." David proceeded to do so without further delay. Inspector Marley was out, but David left a message for him. Would he communicate by telephone later on?
"Then why did you go to Walen's in Brighton and ask them to show you some gun-metal cigar-cases like the one in Lockhart's window?" "Simply because Henson asked me to. He came to me just before I went to the Metropole and told me he had a big thing on. He didn't give me the least idea what it was, nor did I ask him.
Ruth looked relieved. Her pretty features relaxed into a smile. "Then I fancy Reginald Henson has done so," she said. "I fancy I have solved the mystery of the cigar-case I mean, the mystery of the one I bought." "And which was changed for the one purchased at Walen's, hence these tears. But Lockharts say that our case was really purchased by an American." "Yes, I know.
And beyond all question that case the same case, mind you, that I picked up on my doorstep was purchased by the man now lying in the hospital here from Walen's, in West Street. Now, how was the change made?" "If I could only see my way to help you!" "The change was made the day you bought the case. By the way, what time was it?" "I can't tell you the exact time," Ruth replied.
But I didn't call you up to tell you this. We have been making inquiries at Walen's, Marley and myself. The time has come now to let Marley behind the scenes a bit." "Did Walen's people know anything about the tall American?" "Oh, yes.
That was sufficient for his purpose. Of course he must have found out all about our scheme. After I had laid my cigar-case on your doorstep a man quietly changed it for the other purchased at Walen's. But this is the alternate theory only. Any way, I am absolutely certain that you got exactly the same notes that we had placed in the original case." "That might be," David said, thoughtfully.
And the more questions I ask the worse it is for me. The cigar-case I claimed came from Walen's, beyond all question, and was purchased by the mysterious individual now in the hospital. I understood that the cigar-case was the very one I admired at Lockhart's some time ago, and " "If you inquire at Lockhart's you will find such to be the case." David looked up with a puzzled expression.
Walen further proceeded to show me an entry in his purchasing ledger which proved that a cigar-case in gun-metal and diamonds bearing that legend had been added to the stock quite recently a few weeks ago, in fact." "Well, what of that?" David asked, impatiently. "For all I know, the case might have come from Walen's.
Walen's talk put me wise on the location and size of some of the kegs. Ya-as! 'After that, we four went out to look at those golf-links I was hirin'. We each took a club. Mine' he glanced at a great tan bag by the fire-place 'was the beginner's friend the cleek. Well, sir, this golf proposition took a holt of me as quick as quick as death.
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