Part 2 (2/2)
Nick made a note of it in a small book which he drew from his pocket.
”Did you make any deal at that time regarding the diamonds?” he inquired.
”I only had them reserved for me a day or two, stating that I would either call again or send an order for them, if I decided to purchase them,” replied Venner.
”Are you quite sure that only Mr. Hafferman heard you make that statement?”
”Sure only in that the office door was closed, and that he alone was with me. If there were any eavesdroppers about I did not suspect it.”
”Naturally not,” smiled Nick. ”Now, then, for what special purpose did you want those particular diamonds? I think you referred to one.”
A slight tinge of red appeared in Venner's cheeks when he replied, a change which by no means escaped Nick's observation.
”I wanted the stones, or then thought I might, for a customer who contemplated giving me an order for a valuable diamond cross, to be worn upon the stage. We happen to have in stock no diamonds perfectly adapted to her requirements, and so I called upon Hafferman to learn if he could supply me.”
”Who is the customer, Mr. Venner?”
”I do not see how her ident.i.ty can be at all essential to the investigation of this affair, yet I have no objection to disclosing it,”
said Venner, frowning slightly.
”Why demur over it, then?” demanded Nick, bluntly.
”Only because of an aversion to bringing the lady into the case, of which she, of course, knows nothing,” retorted Venner. ”I expected the order from Senora Cervera, the Spanish dancer.”
”Ah! Is she not a member of the Mammoth Vaudeville Troupe, which has been playing here to packed houses for several months?”
”She is, yes.”
”I have heard that she makes a great display of diamonds.”
”That is true, Mr. Carter. She possesses a magnificent collection of jewels, and wears them with an abandon against which I frequently have cautioned her.”
”By way of explanation,” put in Mr. Garside, with an odd smile, ”Venner might add that he enjoys quite friendly relations with the Spanish senora.”
”I see no occasion, Garside, for comments upon my interest in Sanetta Cervera,” declared Venner, with a frown at his partner. ”My relations with her, Detective Carter, are only those of a friend and a gentleman.
She called here several weeks ago to have some diamonds reset, when I met her personally, and was deeply impressed with her extraordinary grace and beauty. I since have shown her some attention.”
”Quite natural, I am sure,” observed Nick, smiling indifferently. ”As you remarked, however, none of that appears to be material. I understand, Mr. Venner, that you were absent when Boyden brought the diamonds here this morning.”
”I was,” bowed Venner. ”I received a note from Senora Cervera this morning, asking me to call upon her at eleven o'clock at her rooms, and to bring with me a diamond pendant which we have in stock, and which I had the pleasure of showing her a few days ago.”
”Ah, I see.”
”She stated in her note that if I would call upon her at the hour mentioned, she would decide whether to purchase the pendant, or have us make the diamond cross for her.”
”You complied with her request, Mr. Venner, and went to call upon her?”
”Certainly.”
<script>