"Anything I can do, Colonel?" asked Basset. "I'm sorry to have to disappoint you about this cross, but—"
"Oh, that was my own fault, for taking too much for granted. I should have asked Grafton more questions, and gotten a description of Mrs. Larch's ornament. He never said anything to me about being robbed."
"Maybe he didn't count this, it not being worth much," and Basset flipped the sparkling cross half way across the table.
"Maybe not, and yet—"
But if the colonel had any thoughts regarding Aaron Grafton he kept them to himself as he made ready to go out.
"Know when you'll be back?" asked Basset.
"No, I can't say. Make yourself at home here. I'll tell 'em at the desk. Shag will be over presently. One of you stay here so I can telephone in if I have to. You'd better plan to stay all night if I don't get back."
"Want to say where you're going?"
"I suppose I'd better. I'm going to Pompey."
"Out where you said Mrs. Larch is staying?"