gement I was forced to be content, not
only for that day, but for many days, when--

XI. THE INSPECTOR ASTONISHES ME

But before I proceed to relate what happened at the end of those two
weeks, I must say a word or two in regard to what happened during them.

Nothing happened to improve Mr. Durand's position, and nothing openly to
compromise Mr. Grey's. Mr. Fairbrother, from whose testimony many of us
hoped something would yet be gleaned calculated to give a turn to the
suspicion now centered on one man, continued ill in New Mexico; and
all that could be learned from him of any importance was contained in
a short letter dictated from his bed, in which he affirmed that the
diamond, when it left him, was in a unique setting procured by himself
in France; that he knew of no other jewel similarly mounted, and that
if the false gem was set according to his own description, the
probabilities were that the imitation stone had been put in place of the
real one under his wife's direction and in some workshop in New York,
as she was not the woman to take the trouble to send abroad for anything
she could get done in this country. The description followed. It
coincided with the one we all knew.

This was something of a blow to me. Public opinion would naturally
reflect that of the husband, and it would require very strong evidence
indeed to combat a logical supposition of this kind with one so forced
and seemingly extravagant as that upon which my own theory was based.
Yet truth often transcends imagination, and, having confidence in the
inspector's integrity, I subdued my impatience for a week, almost for
two, when my suspense and rapidly culminating dread of some action being
taken against Mr. Durand were suddenly cut short by a message from the
inspector, followed by his speedy presence in my uncle's house.

We have a little room on our parlor floor, very snug and secluded, and
in this room I received him. Seldom have I dreaded a meeting more and
seldom have I been met with greater kindness and consideration. He was
so kind that I feared he had only disappointing news to communicate, but
his first words reassured me. He said:

"I have come to you on a matter of importance. We have found enough
truth in the suppositions you advanced at our last interview to warrant
us in the attempt you yourself proposed for the elucidation of this
mystery. That this is the most risky and altogether the most unpleasant
duty which I