lowed up, and the hint contained
in this scrap of paper. The old man may have left a document behind
likely to solve the whole business. He hints as much here."

"True enough, but nothing was found."

"Then again," went on Hurd, "the request for the jewels to be delivered
to that sailor chap was in Norman's handwriting and signed with his
name."

"A forgery."

"No. Pash, who knows his writing better than any other man, says the
document is genuine. Now then, Mr. Beecot, what made Aaron Norman write
and sign those lines giving up his property--or a part of it--just
before his death?"

"It may have been done in good faith."

"No. If so, the messenger would not have cleared out when Pash started
for Gwynne Street. That nautical gent knew what the lawyer would find at
the house, and so made himself scarce after trying to get the jewels.
This scrap of paper," Hurd touched his breast, "and that request for the
jewels in Pash's possession. Those are my clues."

"And the opal serpent?" asked Paul.

Hurd shook his head gloomily. "It's connection with the matter is beyond
me," he confessed.

CHAPTER XIV

MR. HAY'S LITTLE DINNER

The detective was as good as his word. In a few days Paul was introduced
to the editor of a weekly publication and obtained a commission for a
story to be written in collaboration with Mr. Hurd. It seemed that the
editor was an old acquaintance of Hurd's and had been extricated by him
from some trouble connected with cards. The editor, to show his
gratitude, and because that Hurd's experiences, thrown into the form of
a story, could not fail to interest the public, was only too willing to
make a liberal arrangement. Also Paul was permanently engaged to supply
short stories, to read those that were submitted to the editor, and, in
fact, he permanently became that gentleman's right hand. He was a kind,
beery Bohemian of an editor, Scott by name, and took quite a fancy to
Paul.

"I'll give you three pounds a week," said Scott, beaming through his
large spectacles and raking his long gray beard with tobacco-stained
fingers, "you can live on that, and to earn it you can give me your
opinion on the stories. Then between whiles you can talk to Hurd and
write this yarn which I am sure will be interesting. Hurd has had some
queer experiences."

This was quite true. Hurd had ventured on strange waters, but the
strangest he ever sailed on were those connected with the Gwynne Street
case. T