“But they’re not done with you, my friend. So long as you live, they’ll be present with you. You’ll be hunting for them in your dreams.”
“Meet me to-night in dream-land!” sang Croyden. “Well, they’re not likely to disturb my slumbers—unless—there was a rather queer thing happened, last night, Colin.”
“Here?”
“Yes!—I got in to Hampton, in the evening; about nine o’clock, I was returning to Clarendon when, at the gates, I was accosted by a tall, well-dressed 228 stranger. Here is the substance of our talk.... What do you make of it?” he ended.
“It seems to me the fellow made it very plain,” Macloud returned, “except on one possible point. He evidently believes we found the treasure.”
“He is convinced of it.”
“Then, he knows that you came direct from Annapolis to Hampton—I mean, you didn’t visit a bank nor other place where you could have deposited the jewels. Ergo, the jewels are still in your possession, according to his theory, and he is going to make a try for them while they are within reach. Informing the Government is a bluff. He hoped, by that means, to induce you to keep the jewels on the premises—not to make evidence against yourself, which could be traced by the United States, by depositing them in any bank.”
“Why shouldn’t I have taken them to a dealer in precious stones?” said Croyden.
“Because that would make the best sort of evidence against you. You must remember, he thinks you have the jewels, and that you will try to conceal it, pending a Government investigation.”
“You make him a very canny gentleman.”