The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
page 74 of 298 (24%)
page 74 of 298 (24%)
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said Fullaway, with a laugh. "I'm asking you what you think of the
situation, as illuminated by this last episode?" "Well, I'm still reflecting on what you said to that manager chap," answered Allerdyke. "You really think this young woman has lost her jewels?" "Oh, no doubt, no doubt at all," replied Fullaway. "Mademoiselle is impetuous, impulsive, demonstrative, much given to insisting on her own way, but she's absolutely honest and truthful, and I've no doubt whatever--none!--that she's been robbed. But--not here. She never brought those jewels here. They were not in that box when she came here. Mademoiselle, my dear sir, was relieved of those jewels either on the steamer, as she crossed from, Christiania to Hull, or during the few hours she spent at the Hull hotel. The whole thing--the robbery from your cousin, the robbery from Mademoiselle de Longarde--is all the work of a particularly clever and brilliant gang of international thieves; and, by the holy smoke, sir, we've got our hands full! For there isn't a clue to the identity of the operators, so far, unless the lady with whom we are going to sup can help us to one." Allerdyke ruminated over this for a moment or two. Then, after lighting the cigar which Fullaway had offered him, he shook his head--in grim affirmation. "I shouldn't wonder," he said. "Certainly, it seems a big thing. You're figuring on its having been a carefully concocted scheme? No mere chance affair, eh?" "This sort of thing's never done by chance," responded the American. |
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