“Then wait for me downstairs.”
“I’ll be there.”
Nick—for, of course, “Jones” was none other than the detective—gave his assistant two small pieces of Royal Ophir ore.
Chick went away, and Nick returned to the workroom, drying his lips on a handkerchief.
The ore was being put through a small crusher by the young man who wore the apron and was smoking the cigarette.
Cupell watched every move of the young man with eagle-eyed vigilance.
“That’s fine enough, Gillman,” said Cupell; “now use your muller.”
The “muller” was a heavy, iron roller that worked on the slab.
Gillman took the crushed ore, held it on the slab, and then went over it again and again with the roller.
This part of the operation took some time, and Gillman smoked three cigarettes.