"He was an I. D. B. if you want to get to facts."
"What's that?" demanded Allen.
"An illicit diamond buyer."
"Can you explain?"
"I guess so. Strode bought diamonds from any one who had them. If a Kaffir stole a jewel, and many of them do steal, you bet, Strode would buy it from him at a small price. He was on this lay for a long time, but was never caught. And yet I don't know," said Parkins half to himself, "that brute Jerry Train knew something of his doings!"
Allen almost leaped from his seat. "Jerry! was he a big red-headed man--a ruffian?"
"He was a bad lot all through--a horse-thief and I don't know what else in the way of crime. He made South Africa too hot for him, and came home steerage in the Dunoon Castle.. I saw him at times, as I knew a heap about him, and he thieved from a pal of mine up Bulawayo way. He seemed to suspect Strode of yanking diamonds out of the country."
"Did Strode tell you he possessed diamonds?"
"No. He said he'd made money to the extent of forty thousand pounds."
"Did he carry the money with him?"