Part 29 (1/2)

VI

THE AZTEC OPAL

”Mr. Mitchel,” began Mr. Barnes, after exchanging greetings, ”I have called to see you upon a subject which I am sure will enlist your keenest interest, for several reasons. It relates to a magnificent jewel; it concerns your intimate friends; and it is a problem requiring the most a.n.a.lytical qualities of the mind in its solution.”

”Ah, then you have solved it?” asked Mr. Mitchel.

”I think so. You shall judge. I have to-day been called in to investigate one of the most singular cases that has fallen in my way. It is one in which the usual detective methods would be utterly valueless.

The facts were presented to me, and the solution of the mystery could only be reached by a.n.a.lytical deductions.”

”That is to say, by using your brains?”

”Precisely. Now, as you have admitted that you consider yourself more expert in this direction than the ordinary detective, I wish to place you for once in the position of a detective, and then see you prove your ability.”

”Early this morning I was summoned, by a messenger, to go aboard of the steam yacht _Idler_ which lay at anchor in the lower bay.”

”Why, the _Idler_ belongs to my friend, Mortimer Gray!” exclaimed Mr.

Mitchel.

”Yes,” replied Mr. Barnes; ”I told you that your friends are interested.

I went immediately with the man who had come to my office, and in due season I was aboard of the yacht. Mr. Gray received me very politely, and took me to his private room adjoining the cabin. Here he explained to me that he had been off on a cruise for a few weeks, and was approaching the harbor last night, when, in accordance with his plans, a sumptuous dinner was served, as a sort of farewell feast, the party expecting to separate to-day.”

”What guests were on the yacht?”

”I will tell you everything in order, as the facts were presented to me.

Mr. Gray enumerated the party as follows: besides himself and his wife, there were his wife's sister, Mrs. Eugene Cortlandt, and her husband, a Wall Street broker; also, Mr. Arthur Livingstone and his sister, and a Mr. Dennett Moore, a young man supposed to be devoting himself to Miss Livingstone.”

”That makes seven persons, three of whom are women. I ought to say, Mr.

Barnes, that, though Mr. Gray is a club friend, I am not personally acquainted with his wife, nor with the others. So I have no advantage over you.”

”I will come at once to the curious incident which made my presence desirable. According to Mr. Gray's story, the dinner had proceeded as far as the roast, when suddenly there was a slight shock as the yacht touched a bar, and at the same time the lamps spluttered and then went out, leaving the room totally dark. A second later the vessel righted herself and sped on, so that, before any panic ensued, it was evident to all that the danger had pa.s.sed. The gentlemen begged the ladies to resume their seats, and remain quiet till the lamps were lighted; this, however, the attendants were unable to do, and they were ordered to bring fresh lamps. Thus there was almost total darkness for several minutes.”

”During which, I presume, the person who planned the affair readily consummated his design?”

”So you think that the whole series of events was prearranged? Be that as it may, something did happen in that dark room. The women had started from their seats when the yacht touched, and when they groped their way back in the darkness some of them found the wrong places, as was seen when the fresh lamps were brought. This was considered a good joke, and there was some laughter, which was suddenly checked by an exclamation from Mr. Gray, who quickly asked his wife, 'Where is your opal?'”

”Her opal?” asked Mr. Mitchel, in tones which showed that his greatest interest was now aroused. ”Do you mean, Mr. Barnes, that she was wearing the Aztec Opal?”

”Oh, you know the gem?”

”I know nearly all gems of great value; but what of this one?”

”Mrs. Gray and her sister, Mrs. Cortlandt, had both donned _decollete_ costumes for this occasion, and Mrs. Gray had worn this opal as a pendant to a thin gold chain which hung around her neck. At Mr. Gray's question, all looked towards his wife, and it was noted that the clasp was open, and the opal missing. Of course it was supposed that it had merely fallen to the floor, and a search was immediately inst.i.tuted. But the opal could not be found.”

”That is certainly a very significant fact,” said Mr. Mitchel. ”But was the search thorough?”

”I should say extremely thorough, when we consider it was not conducted by a detective, who is supposed to be an expert in such matters. Mr.

Gray described to me what was done, and he seems to have taken every precaution. He sent the attendants out of the _salon_, and he and his guests systematically examined every part of the room.”