"My help? By all means. What can I do for you?"
Mr. Parker gave a quick glance behind him to see if they were observed, and then he said:
"My God, Steell, something terrible has happened! At any cost, we mustn't let the wife know——"
The lawyer stared at his companion in amazement.
"What is it, for Heaven's sake?" he demanded, looking anxiously at his vis-à-vis.
"The diamonds are lost!" replied Parker hoarsely.
"The diamonds lost!"
"Yes—lost—he has returned without them. They went down in the Abyssinia. At least, that's what he says——"
The lawyer started.
"You think——"