“November 12, 1914.—Professor B— of the University of Alberta, had lunch with me at the Cecil Hotel. Our talk was on various subjects but finally I led him, rather adroitly, I think, to a topic which, at present, is my all-absorbing passion. Did Professor B— know anything about jewelry, precious stones? He did. I have yet to touch upon a subject he is not interested in. During our conversation, he happened to mention casually that the Dalton’s, who are very wealthy people here, possess what is undoubtedly the most valuable sapphire in this country. I think I must have pricked up my ears at this information. During the rest of the day, I could think of nothing else. Perhaps tomorrow I shall pluck up enough courage to go and see Dalton.
“November 13, 1914.—The Dalton sapphire is mine. Paid forty thousand for it. Dalton is not an agreeable person to deal with. I almost came away without it. Was forced to draw on my account at the Bank of Montreal. Dalton demanded a certified check and made a number of pertinent inquiries over the telephone. In spite of his haughty manner, he must need the money. Didn’t even offer to shake hands with me at parting.”
Rand closed the book, pointing at the chest.
“It’s easy to see now where he got those things. For years he’s been converting the gold from the Crystal Lode into precious stones.”
“Merely to satisfy a whim,” smiled Wyatt.
A moment later Rand resumed reading:
“August 8, 1915.—What an inconceivable ass I am. Yesterday in some unaccountable manner, I lost my note-book. I have been in the habit, while away on these prospecting trips, of writing each day’s events in a note-book, and later copying them in my diary at home. Hope no one ever finds it. ‘My thoughts are precious things’ and I wouldn’t care to have some fool laughing over them. Also, I fear that in the book I made mention of the chest. Worse luck!”
A sudden silence followed the reading of this last excerpt. Then Wyatt rose to his feet and began pacing up and down the floor.
“That has a direct bearing on this case,” he announced suddenly. “MacGregor must have found that note-book—or Creel or Frischette.... Any of those scoundrels. It’s the only possible way they could have learned of the existence of this chest and the two keys Dewberry carried with him. I am as sure of that as I am that I am standing here.”
“Extremely likely,” admitted Rand.