“Yes, the false stone that you substituted for the Countess’ diamond. She gave it to me.”
There was a sudden explosion of violent laughter. Lupin laughed until the tears started in his eyes.
“Mon dieu, but it is funny! My false diamond palmed off on my innocent sailor! And the captain’s watch! And the hands of the clock!”
Sholmes felt that the duel between him and Lupin was keener than ever. His marvellous instinct warned him that, behind his adversary’s display of mirth, there was a shrewd intellect debating the ways and means to escape. Gradually Lupin approached the Englishman, who recoiled, and, unconsciously, slipped his hand into his watch-pocket.
“It is three o’clock, Monsieur Lupin.”
“Three o’clock, already? What a pity! We were enjoying our chat so much.”
“I am waiting for your answer.”
“My answer? Mon dieu! but you are particular!... And so this is the last move in our little game—and the stake is my liberty!”
“Or the blue diamond.”
“Very well. It’s your play. What are you going to do?”