“The diamond probably isn’t there now, anyway,” said Mrs Upwater.
Simon took a deep pull at his beer.
“How big is this diamond?” he asked. “You said it was as big as the Hope. How big is that?”
“About a hundred carats,” Upwater said. He put the tips of his thumb and forefinger together, forming a circle, “About so big. It’d be easy to hide anywhere.”
Simon forked together the last remnants of food on his plate, and ate them with infinite enjoyment. Any lingering doubts that he might have had were gone. He knew that this was going to be an adventure to remember.
“I told you, I’m certain the Angel’s Eye is at Jonkheer’s,” he said. “That’s why the cop is staying on the premises. But I don’t think it’s hidden. I think they figure it’s well enough guarded. And an old-fashioned conservative type like Jonkheer would have complete confidence in an old-fashioned safe like that, just because it weighs a few tons and he’s had it ever since he went into business. He wouldn’t believe that any up-to-date expert could go through it like a coffee-can.”
The man and woman gazed at him uncertainly.
“What good does that do us?” Mr Upwater asked at length. “I’m no safe-cracker.”
“But I am,” said the Saint.
There was another long and pent-up silence.