“Dunno, sir. You see it was all foggy like, and they was wropped up; but I should know ’em if I heerd ’em speak.”
Mark uttered an ejaculation full of disappointment, and signed to the boy to go on.
“Well, sir, that’s all; only I waited till no one was there; and then I lifted the lid and crep out of the box; and it was very horrid, for there was the dead chap in the nex’ room, and I kep’ thinking he’d come after me, or them others would; and I was that scared, I crawled along the passage, and down-stairs, and then sat and shivered, list’ning to you folks talking, and something in my head going buzz.”
“Why did you not come to us?” said Rich kindly.
“I did want to, Miss, but I dursn’t. I was ’fraid ’bout what you’d say; and there was the perliceman too, and I’d no business to be there. I d’know, only I was very frightened, and didn’t hardly know what I did. I never see anybody dead afore.”
“Well, what did you do then?”
“Waited a bit, Miss, and then I got out in the area, nipped over the rails, and went home and told mother.”
“But one minute,” cried Mark, pressing his hand to his breast; “did you—did you hear anything said about—about diamonds?”
“Yes,” cried the boy. “I heared one on ’em say, ‘Be cool, and the diamonds are ours.’”
Mark uttered a groan. His last hope was crushed; and the boy went on: