“Then why did you not prevent the theft?”

“Had I attempted to do so, I should have been killed.”

“It was taken by force, eh?”

“Certainly.”

“Do you know the party who took it?”

“Yes; the man is dead.”

“And the diamond?”

“It was stolen by the murderer.”

“You cannot impose such a fiction upon me!” said Ajeeb, greatly excited.

“I am stating facts.”