scoundrel has
threatened me times without number that he would scatter them broadcast.

"Then--the ruby: that was a crowning stroke. He deliberately stepped
in and wrested it from my grasp simply because he in some way found out
that I had set my heart upon it for my collection. It was as if he
perpetually had his fingers upon the pulse of my desires and
intentions; he seemed to divine and anticipate my every move.

"But I was soon reconciled to the stone's loss, and I would have
remained so had it not been for that creature, Burke. When he put the
idea into my mind that perhaps Page had no legal title to it, I was
tempted--and I fell. He presented to me too good an opportunity to
retaliate for me to let it pass.

"It was a foolish thing for me to do, going to his house that fatal
Tuesday night; but there was no other way. Burke was willing to
procure the stone from its hiding-place, but flatly refused to assume
the risk of conveying it through the streets. Page was to be away from
town that night, so in an evil moment I decided to take the chance.

"You know what happened. I failed to get the gem that night; your
unrelaxing vigilance prevented Burke from getting at where he supposed
he had hidden it, and at last the Burmese determined to make the
attempt Thursday night. Friday morning I was to have again met
Tshen-byo-yen to close the deal for the stone, when one of his henchmen
notified Burke and me that the attempt had been a failure, that they
had succeeded in securing only the replica. We both charged Burke with
double-dealing."

I started suddenly at his last words; a possibility had flashed into my
mind, so huge and significant that I could comprehend it only by
degrees. I spoke with quick eagerness.

"Mr. Fluette, do you think the Burmese would have devoted all these
years to recovering the jewel, if they were willing to sell it to the
first would-be purchaser that happened along? Doesn't that strike
you as a bit peculiar?--as being inconsistent with their unflagging
zeal, their tireless efforts to regain what they contend was once
stolen from them? Those fellows are very far from home, please bear in
mind."

"I never before regarded it in that light," he thoughtfully returned.

He was not interested, and did not press me for an explanation. But
his suggestion of Burke's double-dealing had given me an idea which was
clearing away one dark corner of the puzzle: the possibility was
openi