Part 23 (1/2)

chuckled the inspector. ”He is dead right too.”

”I wish to verify the stones as well as the setting,” replied the expert.

”I guess in this case your stones are genuine enough. Stuart hadn't much chance to tamper with them. Nevertheless, it can do no harm to make sure,” Corrigan said.

Opening a drawer Mr. Burton produced a powerful gla.s.s which he handed to Rhinehart who went to the light and carefully scanned the scintillating gems.

”Flawless and of the first water!” exclaimed he, after a tense pause.

”The setting hasn't been touched, so there is practically no danger of subst.i.tution.”

”You mean we have actually got the ring back--diamonds and all?” put in Hollings, as if unable to make real the miracle.

”We have--thanks to Mr. Corrigan,” was Mr. Burton's reply.

”Thanks to young Christopher, you mean, sir,” smiled the chief protestingly.

”What can I do to thank you?” cried Hollings. ”I said I would give anything I possessed if those diamonds could be reclaimed and I'm ready to live up to my promise.”

”Pooh, pooh!” laughed Corrigan. ”I've no wish for payment, man. To win out in this game is payment enough for me. Besides, the police are not allowed to accept money, you know. An officer of the law gets his satisfaction in clearing up a crime and locating the loot. Until he can do that his mind is never at peace. This day's stroke has enabled me to wipe two mysteries that have balked me off my slate and go to bed to-night with at least that many less on my mind.”

He rose.

”Well, Chief, all I can say is that we are very grateful to you,”

declared Mr. Burton.

He would have said more had not the inspector raised his hand with a forbidding gesture.

”It's all right, sir. I'm fully as glad as you to see your property safely returned. If you have any thanks to bestow, pa.s.s them on to your son, for without him the missing diamonds might never have been located.”

Then turning toward the boy he added:

”Should you want a job on the force, youngster, come down to headquarters. A lad who can win the hearts of criminals and coax them into voluntarily returning their ill-gotten gains would be an immense a.s.set in our business.”

Shaking hands all round and clapping Christopher affectionately on the shoulder, the chief went out.

”Better put that ring back in the show case, Hollings,” concluded Mr.

Burton. ”I don't need to caution you to keep an eye on it, I guess.”

”You bet you don't!” was the fervent e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n. Then Hollings blushed to the roots of his hair at having thus addressed the great Mr. Burton.

But for once that worthy appeared to forget his dignity and, becoming human, he laughed like a boy of ten.

CHAPTER XII

CLOCK GIANTS

Gradually the excitement concerning the diamond robbery died away as do ripples in a pool and once more Christopher found himself settling down on the little wooden stool at McPhearson's elbow. The two had by this time become great friends, the boy preferring the companions.h.i.+p of the little Scotchman to that of any one else in the store. Perhaps this preference grew in a measure out of the fact that McPhearson appeared to like him and make more effort to entertain him than did the other clerks; perhaps also he had discovered that the clockmaker, when he did speak, was better worth listening to.

Be that as it may, he sallied into the repair department very glad to be there again.