"Have you communicated with the police?" Mr. Bundercombe asked.
The manager stretched out his hand.
"Four of them are in the place now," he answered, a little despairingly. "What's the good? The fellow's got away! He's got the finest necklace in the shop with him, gems worth twenty thousand pounds."
Mr. Bundercombe nodded sympathetically.
"Have you offered a reward yet?"
"We can't do everything in ten minutes!" the manager replied, a little testily. "We shall offer one, of course."
"What amount are you prepared to go to?" Mr. Bundercombe asked.
The man looked at him eagerly.
"Do you mean, sir—" he began.
Mr. Bundercombe stretched out his hands.