“And you have thought what it means?”
“Of course.”
“His dismissal and imprisonment?”
“Yes.”
“But—”
“There is no room for buts, my lad,” said Ingleborough harshly. “Diamond-buying from the natives is, as we all well know, penal; and we know, too, that it is our duty to help to protect the property of our employers, and to see that the laws are obeyed.”
“Of course, my dear Ingleborough,” said Anson; “and that’s what I have always tried to do, as you know.”
“I know that you have been playing a false game for months—that is, I feel perfectly sure you have, though I cannot prove it. But this I can prove: that you were buying stolen diamonds from two natives this afternoon, all parties choosing the time because you believed the excitement would secure you from notice.”
“Oh, West, hark at him!” cried Anson, in a piteous tone. “Ingleborough, you don’t know how wrong you are!”
“That’s true!” said their fellow-clerk.