The inspector bowed. “I thought it quite likely.”
“Now, I have made certain that by your laws as well as ours the late Mr. Bechcombe's estate is liable for the value of Mrs. Carnthwacke's jewels since he gave my wife a receipt for them, which I believe is held by you gentlemen now,” the American said, speaking with a strong nasal accent.
Again the inspector nodded his assent.
“Certainly it is. What do you suppose to be the value of the diamonds, Mr. Carnthwacke?”
“Well, I couldn't figure it off in a minute,” the millionaire said in a considering tone. “But a good many thousands of dollars anyway. I did not buy them all at once, but picked up a few good ones when I got a chance. Thought to myself diamonds were always an investment. The gem of the whole lot was the necklace; it was part of the Russian crown jewels and had been worn by the ill-fated Czarina herself. But anyhow I guess my wife's diamonds were pretty well known in London and they were valuable enough to excite the cupidity of this gang of criminals that have been so busy about London of late. You see, I suppose, that it was in order to get them that they broke in to Mr. Bechcombe's office and strangled him.”
John Steadman raised his eyebrows as he looked across at the inspector. That worthy coughed.
“You are rather jumping to conclusions, it seems to me, Mr. Carnthwacke. In the first place Mr. Bechcombe's office was not broken into. The murderer, whoever he might have been, entered in the usual fashion and apparently in no way alarmed Mr. Bechcombe. In fact all the indications go to prove that the assassin was some one known to Mr. Bechcombe.”
“I don't figure that out.” Carnthwacke hunched his shoulders and looked obstinate. “I will take what odds you like that my wife was followed and that, unable to get what he wanted without, the thief strangled Mr. Bechcombe and walked off with the diamonds.”
“The diamonds certainly provide a very adequate motive,” John Steadman said slowly, taking part in the conversation for the first time. “But there are some very weak points in your story, Mr. Carnthwacke. You must remember that the rubber gloves worn by the assassin as well as the chloroform used seem to prove conclusively that the murder was planned beforehand.”
There was a pause.