"Open up there, will you!" shouted a hoarse voice.
"Drunk, as usual!" said Keralio contemptuously.
He suddenly threw the door open and the gambler, burly and unsteady on his legs, almost fell in. He was in evening dress, his collar and tie rumpled, his hair unkempt. His face was flushed, his eyes bloodshot. Reeling in, he hiccoughed:
"What'n h—ll do you live so far up town for? I thought I'd never get here. Say, this is the end of the world, ain't it? Jumping off place, eh? Stopped several times on the way to get a drink. My cabby nearly got lost. Been driving me round for three hours trying to locate the blooming house. Charged me $5. Hell of a good business, ain't it. Tain't on the level to treat an old pal that way. Y'oughter be ashamed o' yourself."
"I'm more ashamed of you—for making such a beast of yourself," rejoined Keralio angrily. "Stop your cursed noise or you'll have the police on top of us!"
Without ceremony, he pushed the newcomer into a seat and made a gesture to François to go. The valet went toward the door.
"Remember," said Keralio warningly. "There must be no blundering. I want the child brought here——"
"Oui, monsieur—it shall be as you say."
The door closed and Keralio turned quietly to the miner. Sternly, and in a manner that brooked no nonsense, he demanded:
"Did you bring the diamonds?"