"Why, Blount, where are your wits? Don't you see, he has managed to dispose of the diamonds somehow, and has gone to Ireland to carry out his story. You must get after him at once and trace him back."
"Right you are! I must be growing stupid—but I'll be off at once!"
"Wait a moment! You can't get away until to-night. Better send your man a telegram to watch him closely. Then come back to my rooms—it may be a long hunt, and money does as much as brains sometimes."
"I have sent the telegram," said Blount. "He is at this moment under the best pair of eyes in Europe."
Two hours later Blount started on his long chase, and when Mr. Stafford called he found Martin all prepared to accompany him.
CHAPTER IX.
While riding back to Hanley Hall, Mr. Stafford imparted to Martin some information which changed the aspect of the trip for the latter, from dismal recklessness to hopeful anxiety—his anxiety being to get to Hanley Hall as soon as possible.
They had the compartment to themselves, and Mr. Stafford remarked the dismal, down-hearted expression of Martin's countenance.
"I'm afraid, my boy," he said, quizzically, "you need some of the same tonic as is helping Fred."