“Of course he told me that I could have them. Don’t be a fool.”
As the question was being argued the door opened and a detective appeared.
“Nathans,” said he brusquely, “there has been a set of diamonds stolen from Benson’s mansion, and they will probably be brought here, and if so you keep them, for they will be wanted.”
The blood flew into George’s face, and he stepped upon the toe of the pawnbroker.
Nathans feared that the box on the desk would be spied by the detective.
“I’ll watch,” said he after a while, “and if the jewels come in I’ll tell you.”
“All right, and another thing, Benson is dying, and he wants his daughter, and if you should see a poor woman come here to pawn anything don’t let her go away without asking her name, for it might be worth your while.”
“I don’t trouble myself about such people,” said the broker, “but as long as you want me to I’ll keep on the watch.”
He had only turned his back for a moment before the pawnbroker was upon the young man.
“So you think that I was going to pay you a thousand for stolen goods. You are as bad as that Farren. I can’t watch you fellows enough.”