Pawle, with a grim smile. "Not
till then!"
"From what we have heard," remarked Viner, "Ashton carried that
diamond in the pocketbook which contained his papers--the papers you
have told me of, and some of which have certainly come into possession
of this claimant person. Now, whoever stole the papers, of course got
the diamond."
Mr. Perkwite seemed to consider matters during a moment's silence;
finally he turned to the old lawyer.
"I have been thinking over something that might be done," he said. "I see
that the coroner's inquest was adjourned. Now, as that inquest is, of
course, being held to inquire into the circumstances of Ashton's death, I
suggest that I should come forward as a witness and should prove that
Ashton showed certain papers relating to the Ellingham peerage to me at
Marseilles; I can tell the story, as a witness. It can then be proved by
you, or by Carless, that a man claiming to be the missing Lord
Marketstoke showed these stolen papers to you. In the meantime, get the
coroner to summon this man as a witness, and take care that he's brought
to the court. Once there, let him be asked how he came into possession of
these papers? Do you see my idea?"
"Capital!" exclaimed Mr.
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