ms, frivolity and immorality brought before a vivid
imagination by the mere mention of the word diamonds.

"My name is Colwyn; my friend is Detective Caldew, of Scotland Yard,"
said Colwyn, in response to Mr. Wendover's glance of interrogation. "We
are in search of a little information, which we trust you will give us."

"That depends upon what ye want to know." This reply, delivered in an
abrupt and uncouth manner, suggested that the diamond merchant's
disposition was anything but a cut and polished one.

"Quite so. You have heard of the Heredith murder, I presume."

The diamond merchant nodded his head without speaking, and waited to
hear more.

"The Heredith necklace of pink pearls was stolen from Mrs. Heredith's
room on the night that she was murdered, and we are endeavouring to
trace it."

"And what has that got to do with me?"

"I have reason to think that the necklace may have been offered or sold
in Hatton Garden. It may have been submitted to you."

"What d'ye mean by coming to me with such a question? What does Mr.
Musard mean by sending ye here? Does he think I've turned receiver of
stolen property at my time of life? I'm surprised at him."

"My dear Mr. Wendover, Mr. Musard had no such thought in his mind. We
simply come to you for information. Mr. Musard gave me your address as a
reputable dealer of stones who would be likely to know if this necklace
had been offered for sale in Hatton Garden."

"Well, it has not been offered to me. I've handled no pearls for twelve
months."

"Would you know the Heredith necklace if it were offered to you?"

"I would not, and I've already told ye it was not offered to me."

Colwyn was nonplussed and disappointed, but the recollection of
Nepcote's furtive glance and hasty concealment of the diamond merchant's
card on the previous night prompted him to a further effort.

"It is possible the necklace may have been broken up and the stones
offered separately," he said. "The clasp contained a large and valuable
blue diamond."

"I tell ye I know nothing about it. I very rarely buy from private
persons. It's not my way of doing business."

"We have reason to suspect that the necklace was offered for sale by a
young military officer, tall and good looking, with blue eyes and brown
hair, slightly tinged with grey at the temples."

"That description would apply to thousands of young officers. They're a
harum-scarum lot, and dissipation soon turns a man's hair grey