"I asked him not to, as I wished to tell you myself. I am sorry to bore you with occult talk, Miss Carrol, but I think you would like to understand the reason for the Jewel being at Beckleigh at all."
"You sent it to Mr. Colpster?"
"Yes, I did. To punish him for daring to have it stolen from Kitzuki."
"But he didn't wish it stolen. He was angry that Harry should steal it."
Akira waved his hand. "Mr. Colpster was the original cause of setting in motion the causes which led to Mrs. Pentreddle's death, to his own death, and to that of his nephew. He believed that the Jewel would bring back luck. Instead of that, it brought that," and he pointed to the ruins.
Basil looked helplessly at the speaker. "My dear fellow, I am quite in the dark as to what you are talking about."
"Listen, and I shall explain. Something of what I tell you has been told to you before, but something I now tell you is new." He drew a long breath and continued: "I don't expect you to believe all I say."
"We'll try," said Basil ironically. "Go on!"
"Mr. Colpster wished for the Mikado Jewel," said Akira deliberately, "and so he employed you, Dane, to offer money for it. Mrs. Pentreddle heard from her late master that he intended to give the property to the nephew who brought back the Jewel. She hated Theodore, and loved you, so, as her son was going to Japan, she asked him to get the Jewel. In a way which he told Mr. Colpster, but which I need not repeat, he stole it, and got away with it. But he was followed and watched. The priests of the temple told the Government at Tokio, and I was deputed to see if the Jewel could be recovered. I went to Kitzuki and saved your life when you came to offer money for the gem."
"And thank you for doing it, Akira," said Basil heartily.