is not likely to be traced. But I find that Steffensen is
away in America at the moment, so I've approached the Dutchman.
Heydenryck is a sly old dog. Unlike Steffensen, he buys unset stones
because they are difficult to identify."

I bent and examined the glittering little pile of diamonds, rubies,
emeralds and sapphires which had been stolen from the hotel in London.

"Look here, Hargreave," said Duperre. "I want you to help us to get
rid of this," and he pointed to the broken jewelry.

"How?" I asked dismayed, for I confess that I feared the discovery. To
be thus intimately associated with a band of expert crooks was a new
experience.

"Quite easily," he replied. "I'll show you." Then turning to his wife,
he said: "Just bring Lu Chang in, will you, Hylda?"

Madame passed into the next room and returned with a small Pekinese in
her arms.

"Lu Chang is quite quiet and harmless," laughed Duperre as his wife
handed the dog to me.

As my hands came in contact with the animal's fur I realized that it
was dead--and stuffed!

Duperre laughed heartily as he watched my face. I confess that I was
mystified.

He took the dog, which had probably been purchased from a naturalist
only that day, and ripping open the pelt behind the forelegs he
quickly drew out the stuffing. Then into the cavity he hurriedly
thrust the broken rings and pendants.

I watched him with curiosity. It seemed such an unusual proceeding.
But I recollected that I was dealing with strange associates--people
whom I afterwards found to be perhaps the most ingenious crooks in
Europe.

"Poor Lu Chang," exclaimed my old company commander with a laugh. "If
you drown him he won't feel it!"

Duperre watched the expression of surprise upon my face as he packed
the whole of the broken jewelry into the dog.

"Now what I want you to do, Hargreave," he said, "is to drown Lu Chang
in the Seine. Lots of people in Paris, who are not lovers of dogs, are
flinging them into the river because of the new excessive tax upon
domestic pets. You will just toss Lu Chang over the Pont Neuf. The
police can't interfere, even though they see you. You will only have
put the dog out of the world rather than pay the double tax."

He watched my natural hesitation.

"Isn't he a little dear!" exclaimed Madame, stroking the dog's fur.
"Poor Lu Chang! He won't float with the gold inside him!"

"No," laughed Duperre. "He'll go plumb to the bottom!"

It was on the tip of my t