“Yes.” Mr. Norton paused. “Come, let us examine the diamonds, and divide them as evenly as possible.”
“All right. There are just fifteen of them, not counting the one that was lost in the mill when you drugged the boy,” said Yates. “Who is to lose that?”
“I drugged the boy for the good of the party,” explained Mr. Norton; “it was better and handier than tying him. I am sure he doesn’t know a thing of what happened that night.”
“Don’t be too sure of that,” I muttered.
In the meanwhile the diamonds were carefully examined, and after many comments divided into three little heaps. Then Mr. Norton got out some strips of paper, and they drew lots.
I motioned for Ford to follow me to a spot some distance away.
“What shall we do?” he asked, as soon as we were out of hearing.
“They are getting ready to leave,” I said. “One of us ought to let the police know. It is impossible for us to capture the three of them.”
“One of us ought to stay here,” said my companion.