and feminine writing which I
had seen once before.

"_My dear sir_ [the letter ran]:

"I find that I made the mistake of underestimating you, and I
present you my sincere apologies. I trust that, at some future
time, it may be my privilege to be again engaged with you--the
result is certain to be most interesting. But at present I find
that I must return to Europe by _La Bretagne_; since, after the
trouble I have taken, it is impossible that I should consent to
part with the brilliants of His Highness the Grand Duke. As a
slight souvenir of my high regard, I trust you will be willing
to accept the cabinet Boule, which I am certain that good M.
Lester will surrender to you if you will show to him this letter.
The cabinet is not only interesting in itself, but will be doubly
so to you because of the part it has played in our little comedy.
And I should like to know that it adorns a corner of your home.

"Till we meet again, dear sir, believe me

"Your sincere admirer,

"CROCHARD, L'Invincible!"

"He's a good sport, isn't he?" asked Godfrey, as I silently handed
the letter back to him. "What do you say about the cabinet?"

"I suppose there is no doubt that Crochard bought it," I said.

"So that it is mine now?"

"Yes; but I'm going to solicit a bribe."

"Go ahead and solicit it."

"I want a souvenir, too," I said. "I'd like awfully well to have that
letter--besides," I added, "it will be a kind of receipt, you know,
if anybody ever questions my giving you the cabinet."

Godfrey laughed and threw the letter across the table to me.

"It's yours," he said. "And I'll send for the cabinet to-morrow. I
suppose it is still at the station?"

"Yes; I haven't had time to put in a claim for it. But, Godfrey," I
added, "when did _La Bretagne_ sail?"

"A week ago to-day. She is due at Havre in the morning."

"Did you warn them?"

"Warn them of what?"

"That Crochard is after the diamonds. They went back on _La
Bretagne_, I suppose?"

"Yes--and Pigot went with them. So why should I warn any one? Surely
they know that Crochard will get those diamonds if he can. It has
become a sort of point of honour with him, I imagine. It is up to
them to take care of them."

"That oughtn't to be difficult," I said. "The strong-room of a liner
is about the safest place on earth."

"Yes," Godfrey agreed, and blew a meditative ring