urton.

"How, genuine? That it tells the truth, you mean? Yes, I do. I think
Stuart was prompted to return the ring for the very reasons he
states--he took a fancy to Christopher, and he saw the diamonds would
now be of no use to him."

"But he could have left them where they are."

"For a term of ten or twelve years? But think, Mr. Burton, of the
changes liable to take place in that time. The building might be torn
down and replaced by another, or it might be converted into a business
block; or, again, fire might destroy it. In any of these cases the
jewels would be lost to Stuart. Moreover, even if he tried to recover
them years hence, it might be very difficult to do so. He weighed all
these considerations, you may be sure, before he sent that letter. Still
I am not sure they were the factors primarily influencing him. He liked
Christopher and evidently wished to do him a good turn. Such men as he
often have soft streaks in them--impulses for good."

"You mean to follow up the clew then?"

"Mean to follow it up? Man alive! Certainly I do. And what is more, I
mean to lose no time in doing it," answered Corrigan, rising.

"I wish--" began Christopher, and then stopped.

"You wish you could go along?" asked the inspector, turning toward the
lad with a friendly smile.

"That is what I was going to say--yes."

"Well, we'll take you. I think you've earned the right to be in at the
finish."

"Really!" cried Christopher.

"Sure thing."

"Do you think he'd better go?" Mr. Burton queried, instantly anxious.
"You hardly know what you are going to get into. It may be a trap of
some sort. Suppose, as a matter of revenge, there were a bomb under the
floor."

"I'm not doing any worrying on that score," responded the inspector.
"Had Stuart sent the note to you or to me, I should be on my guard; but
as it has come to Christopher, I have no fears. Of course, however, I
shall take every precaution."

"I hope so, for the sake of every one concerned."

"Oh, I shall be careful, Mr. Burton. Don't you worry about that. I have
my eye teeth cut."

"When do you mean to take up the affair?"

"This minute! As soon as I can get my men together and the necessary
formalities disposed of."

"Am I to go right along with you?" Christopher leaped to his feet.

"Yes. Fetch your hat and coat. I'll take care of the boy, Mr. Burton.
Have no concern about him. It is only natural he should wish to see this
job through, having been m