They were rewarded by nothing apparently remarkable—a few rough-looking stones, uncut and dull, lay before them.
Long John fingered one or two, giving them a peculiar and intense glance out of his melancholy eyes.
“And the rest are at the hotel?” he said.
“Yes, in a packet in a cupboard at the back of my bed.”
“Why did you not bring them?”
“I might have been watched. It was not safe. I will return for them later on to-night, if one of you men will accompany me. Those diamonds had just arrived from Kimberley and were waiting to be put into the Bank at Madrid. I nabbed them in the nick of time.”
“Yes, yes; you did well—you told us all that story,” said Piper.
“You did very well. No one but Silver could have managed it,” said one of the other men in a tone of deep elation. “This haul sets us straight, don’t it, Piper?”
“The diamonds have to be realised,” said Piper; “and we have not got them yet. How did you get on at Madrid in other respects?”