“Have you mentioned that to any one, Burke?”
“No, sir. You impressed me with the fact that I should say nothing regarding any case on which you desired clippings. That was a reasonable request, and I have abided by it.”
“Aside from speculation, Burke,” said Clarendon, “what have you found that has not been widely circulated in the news accounts?”
IN answer, Burke reached for the pile of clippings. He drew out one — evidently an item taken from an old newspaper. He read it aloud.
“Sapphire changes hands. Lloyd Harriman, wealthy New York clubman, is now the owner of the famous purple sapphire. He purchased it at auction, for eighteen hundred dollars. Jewel is alleged to be jinxed, but Harriman says, ‘Blah!’”
“Evidently a tabloid account, with a photograph above it.”
“That’s right,” said Burke, grinning. He displayed the clipping, which showed Lloyd Harriman, garbed in white flannels, holding the gem before the eyes of two admiring young ladies.
“What of the purple sapphire?” questioned Clarendon.
“It’s jinxed all right,” replied Burke, referring to another pile of clippings. “Sounds like the same old stuff, though.
“Belonged to King Alphonse of Antaria, at the time he was bounced from the throne. Was sold to an English noblewoman, who was killed in an airplane accident.