"I could put you in the way of a job occasionally," said Jumbo. "Some fellows Foxy and me knows would be glad to pay for a little advice about buying and selling stones."
I began to hope that the end of our labours might be in sight. The next question dashed me a little.
"Have you ever heard of Mrs. —— ——?" Foxy asked.*
* He named one of the most prominent society women in New York.—B.E.
Of course I had, she is one of my best customers. I shook my head.
He gave me some details of her history which would have astonished Cora —— could she have heard them. "She has a fine string of sparklers," he remarked in conclusion.
"Has she?" I said innocently. I had sold them to her.
"She's at Newport now," said Foxy casually.
"Hell! what's the use of beating round the bush!" said Jumbo in his hearty way. "Ain't we all friends together? It's worth a nice little sum to you, English, if you can find out and report if it's the genuine stones that she wears around town up there."
"But I can't leave my job," I objected.