"Laadham, you are listening to der man who knows more as all of us
pud in a crowd," he declared. "_Mein Gott_, I do believe he's
right!"

Mr. Latham was a cold, unimaginative man of business; he hadn't even
believed in fairies when he was a boy. This was child-talk; he
permitted himself to express his opinion by a jerk of his head, and
was silent. Diamonds like those out of meteors! Bosh!



CHAPTER IX

AND MORE DIAMONDS!

There was a rap on the door, and a clerk thrust his head in.

"Mr. Birnes to see you, sir," he announced.

"Show him in," directed Mr. Latham. "Sit down, both of you, and
let's see what he has to say."

There was an odd expression of hope deferred on the detective's
face when he entered. He glanced inquiringly at Mr. Schultze and
Mr. Czenki, whereupon Mr. Latham introduced them.

"You may talk freely," he added. "We are all interested alike."

The detective crossed his legs and balanced his hat carefully on