At last the Saint was able to control the palpitating gremlins inside him enough to reach for a cigarette.
“You’re sure you went to the right place?” he asked.
“I couldn’t go wrong. The name’s on the door.”
“And you’re sure it was Jonkheer you saw?”
“Of course I’m sure. It was the same man both times. The police knew him, too.”
“You’re been to the police already?”
“Of course I have. First thing I did, when I saw I wasn’t getting anywhere with Jonkheer. They went with me to the shop. But it was his word against mine, and they preferred his. Said he was a well-known respectable citizen, but they didn’t know the same about me. I almost got locked up myself. They as good as said I was either off my nut or trying to blackmail him.”
“Didn’t anyone else see you give him the stone?”
“No. It was just him and me. I didn’t take Mrs Upwater with me yesterday — she wanted to stay at the hotel and do our unpacking.”
“But if you say you gave it to him, Tom,” said Mrs Upwater loyally, “I know you did.”