The miser’s jaw dropped helplessly, and he stared at the bag with a superstitious terror.
“But,” continued Gratz, “what seems so incredible to you is merely the logical outcome of a cunningly established sequence,” and the speaker shot an incredibly quick glance at the silent figure in the adjoining room.
“Now attend me closely.
“During the last few evenings you have heard some very curious narratives.”
Raikes nodded with gloomy corroboration.
“A series of well-arranged events have introduced a startling episode—the substitution of pebbles for diamonds.”
“At this point in the narrative the first instalment concludes. Am I right?”
“Yes,” answered Raikes.
“Then,” continued Gratz, “you went directly to your room; you retired. In the morning you are prompted, with more than your usual eagerness, to open your private safe.”