“Then it follows that you were the only person remaining in the colony who was aware that Vail had been paid a large sum of money?”
“The only person.”
“May I ask what was the sum?”
“Two thousand pounds.”
“And you received?”
“An equal amount.”
“One more inquiry and I have finished. I have never heard that opals were found in West Australia. Did you discover an opal mine?”
For the first time I hesitated, I could feel that I was being closely watched by my fair questioner and an uneasy feeling crept over me. Was I free to explain the circumstances under which the opals came into our possession? I was well aware of the old superstition that opals were unlucky and it was possible that our gems possessed this peculiarity.
“You have not answered my question Mr. Detmold.”
“No, I was considering; the opals came into our hands in a very remarkable manner and I do not know whether I should be justified in divulging the facts without Vail’s consent, as it was through him that they were discovered.”