"I've been after him ever since. … But, Jack, until this morning
Quintana did not possess these stolen jewels, Clinch did!"
"What!"
"Clinch served over-seas in a Forestry Regiment. In Paris he robbed
Quintana of these jewels. That's why I've been hanging around Clinch."
Stormont's face was flushed and incredulous. Then it lost colour as he thought of the jewels that Eve had concealed — the gems for which she had risked her life.
He said: "But you tell me Quintana robbed you this morning."
"He did. The little Grand Duchess and the Countess Orloff-Strelwitz are my guests at Harrod Place.
"Last night I snatched the case containing these gems from Quintana's fingers. This morning, as I offered them to the Grand Duchess, Quintana coolly stepped between us——"
His voice became bitter and his features reddened with rage poorly controlled:
"By God, Jack, I should have shot Quintana when the opportunity offered. Twice I've had the chance. The next time I shall kill him any way I can. … Legitimately."
"Of course," said Stormont gravely. But his mind was full of the jewels which Eve had. What an whose were they, — if Quintana again had the Esthonian gems in his possession?