“So she did not discover everything, after all,” said Mr. Mitchel.
“No; but she is right in the main. Her report continues:
“‘Madame, however, hesitated to go into the venture, partly because Mr. L. insisted that the matter be kept secret from her husband, and more particularly because the money in exchange was not to be forthcoming immediately. On the yacht she changed her mind impulsively. The result of that you know.’
“That is all,” said Mr. Barnes, folding the paper and returning it to his pocket.
“That is all you know?” asked Mr. Mitchel.
“No; that is all that Lucette knows. I know how the fabulous sum of money was to be had in exchange for the two opals.”
“Ah; that is more to our immediate purpose. How have you made this discovery?”
“My spies learned practically nothing by shadowing Livingstone, except that he has had several meetings with a half-breed Mexican who calls himself Pedro Domingo. I decided that it would be best for me to interview Señor Domingo myself, rather than to entrust him to a second man.”
“What a compliment to our friend Livingstone!” said Mr. Mitchel, with a laugh.
“I found the Mexican suspicious and difficult to approach at first. So I quickly decided that only a bold play would be successful. I told him that I was a detective, and related the incident of the stealing of the opal. At this his eyes glistened, but when I told him that the gem had been sold to a man of enormous wealth who would never again part with it, his eyes glared.”
“Yes, Domingo’s eyes are glary at times. Go on.”
“I explained to him that by this I meant that it would now be impossible for Mr. Livingstone to get the opal, and then I boldly asked him what reward I might expect if I could get it.”
“How much did he offer?”
“At first he merely laughed at me, but then I explained that you are my friend, and that you merely buy such things to satisfy a hobby, and that, having no especial desire for this particular jewel, I had little doubt that I could obtain it, provided it would be of great financial advantage to myself. In short, that you would sell to a friend what none other could buy.”
“Not bad, Mr. Barnes. What did Domingo say to that?”
“He asked for a day to think it over.”
“Which, of course, you granted. What, then, is his final answer?”
“He told me to get the opal first, and then he would talk business.”
“Bravo! Domingo is becoming quite a Yankee.”
“Of course I watched the man during the interval, in order to learn whether or not he would consult with Mr. L., or any other adviser.”
“What did this lead to?”
“It led to Pasquale Sanchez.”
“What! More Mexicans?”
“One more only. Sanchez lives in a house near where Domingo has his room. He tells me that he comes from the same district as Domingo. Although Domingo did not make a confidant of him, or even ask his advice, his visit to his friend cleared up some things for me, for by following Domingo I came upon Sanchez.”
“What could he know, if, as you say, he was not in the confidence of Domingo?”
“He knew some things which seem to be common knowledge in his native land. He is even more Americanized than his friend, for he fully appreciates a glass of whiskey, though I doubt not the habit was first acquired at home. I should think it would take many years to acquire such a—let me call it—capacity. I never saw a man who could swallow such powerful doses without a change of expression. The only effect seemed to be to loosen his tongue. It is needless to repeat all the stages by which I approached my subject. He knew all about the Aztec opals,—for really there are two of them,—except of course their present whereabouts. I asked him if they would be valuable, supposing that I could get possession of them. He was interested at once. ‘You get them, and I show you million dollars.’ I explained to him that I might see a million dollars any day by visiting the United States Treasury, upon which, with many imprecations and useless interpolations of bad Spanish, he finally made it clear to me that the priests who have the idol from which the opals were obtained, have practically little power over their tribe while the ‘god is in heaven,’ as has been explained to the faithful, the priests not caring to exhibit the image without its glowing eyes. These priests, it seems, know where the mine is from which these opals were taken, and they would reveal this secret in exchange for the lost opals, because, though this mine is said to be very rich, they have been unable themselves to find any pieces sufficiently large and brilliant from which to duplicate the lost gems.”
“Then you think it was to obtain possession of this opal mine that Mr. Livingstone sought to obtain Mrs. Gray’s opal?”
“Undoubtedly. So certain am I of this that I would wager that he will endeavor to get the opal from you.”
“Let me read a letter to you, Mr. Barnes.” Mr. Mitchel took out a letter and read as follows:
“‘LEROY MITCHEL, Esq.:—
“‘Dear Sir—In my letter of recent date I offered to you the duplicate of the Aztec Opal which you recently purchased from Mr. Gray. You paid Gray twenty thousand dollars, and I expressed my willingness to sell you mine for five thousand dollars in advance of this sum. In your letter just received, you agree to pay this amount, naming two conditions. First, you ask why I consider my opal worth more than the other, if it is an exact duplicate. Secondly, you wish me to explain what I meant by saying on the yacht that “women are poor conspirators.”
“‘In reply to your first question, my answer is, that however wealthy I may be I usually do business strictly on business principles. These opals separately are worth in the open market twenty thousand dollars each, which sum you paid to Gray. But considering the history of the gems, and the fact that they are absolute duplicates the one of the other, it is not too much to declare that as soon as one person owns both gems, the value is enhanced twofold. That is to say, that the pair of opals together would be worth seventy or eighty thousand dollars. This being true, I consider it fair to argue that whilst I should not expect more than twenty thousand dollars from any other person in the world, twenty-five thousand is a low sum for me to ask of the man who has the duplicate of this magnificent harlequin opal.
“‘In regard to my remark about the ‘conspirators,’ the conspiracy in which I had induced Mrs. Gray to take part was entirely honorable, I assure you. I knew of Gray’s financial embarrassments and wished to aid him, without, however, permitting him to suspect my hand in the affair. He is so sensitive, you know. I therefore suggested to Mrs. Gray that she entrust her jewel to me, and promised to dispose of the two jewels together, thus realizing the enhanced value. I pointed out that in this manner she would be able to give her husband much more than he could possibly secure by the sale of the one stone.
“‘Trusting that I have fully complied with your conditions, I will call upon you at noon to-day, and will bring the opal with me. We can then complete the transaction, unless you change your mind in the interval. Cordially yours, etc.’
“So you see,” said Mr. Mitchel, “he offers to sell me his opal, rather than to purchase mine.”
“It is strange,” said Mr. Barnes, musingly. “Why should he relinquish his hope of getting possession of that mine? I do not believe it. There is some devilish trickery at work. But let me tell you the rest of my story.”
“Oh, is there more?”
“Why, certainly. I have not yet explained my reason for thinking you might be in danger.”
“Ah, to be sure. My danger. I had forgotten all about it. Pardon my stupidity.”
“In further conversation with this Sanchez I put this proposition to him. ‘Suppose,’ said I, ‘that your friend Domingo had one of these opals, and knew the man who had the other. What would he do?’ His answer was short, but to the point. ‘He get it, even if
he kill.’”
“So you think that Domingo might try murder?”
“It is not impossible.”
“But, Mr. Barnes, he does not want my life. He wants the opal, and as that is, or rather has been until to-day, in the safety-vaults, how could he get it, even by killing me?”
“You have just admitted that it is not in the vaults at present.”
“But it is quite as much out of his reach in my safe here in this room.”
“But you might take it out of the safe. You might, in some manner, be persuaded to do so, to show it to some one.”
“Very true. In fact, that is why it is here. I must compare my opal with the one which Mr. Livingstone offers for sale, before I part with twenty-five thousand dollars. For you must remember that such a sum is a fabulous price for an opal, even though, as you know, these are the largest in the world.”
“From a money standpoint, of course, your precaution is proper. But do you not see that you are really making possible the very danger of which I came to warn you?”
“You mean—”
“Murder in order to get possession of that accursed ill-luck stone. But I fear my warning is not appreciated.”
“Indeed, my friend, it is, and I am glad that you have come in person to acquaint me with your anxiety in my behalf. This I will more thoroughly explain to you later. For the present, I may say that I am glad to have you here as a possible witness, in case murder, or any other crime, should be attempted.”
“What other crime do you anticipate as possible? Surely not theft?”
“Why not?”
“What! Steal that opal from you, while you are present to see the deed committed? That is a joke.” Mr. Barnes laughed heartily.
“Your laugh is a compliment,” said Mr. Mitchel. “Yet that is exactly what I most anticipate—theft. I am not sure that it may not be undertaken before my very eyes. Especially as the thief did not hesitate at a table filled with men and women. Sh! He is here.”
The electric street-door bell had sounded. Mr. Mitchel arose, and spoke hurriedly in a low tone.
“That is probably Mr. Livingstone come to sell his opal, or to steal mine. We shall see. Especially I desire that you should see. Consequently I have arranged matters in advance. Slip behind this bookcase, which I have placed across the corner that you may have room to breathe. The books on the top shelf have been removed, and the tinted glass of the doors will not obstruct your view. From behind you will be able to see through quite readily.”
“Why, you seem to have expected me,” said Mr. Barnes, getting into the hiding-place.
“Yes, I expected you,” said Mr. Mitchel, vouchsafing no further explanation. “Remember now, Mr. Barnes, you are not to interfere, whatever happens, unless I call you. All I ask is that you use your eyes, and that good eyes will be required be sure, or I never should have arranged to have an extra pair to aid me on this occasion.”
A moment later Williams announced Mr. Livingstone.
“Ask Mr. Livingstone to come up here to the library,” said Mr. Mitchel, and a little later he greeted his guest.
“Ah, glad to see you, Mr. Livingstone. Take a seat here by my desk, and we can get right to business. First, though, let me offer you a cigar.”
Mr. Livingstone chose one from the box which Mr. Mitchel offered to him, and lighted it as he sat down.
“What a companionable feeling steals over one as he puffs a fine cigar, Mr. Mitchel! Who would accept such an offering as this and betray the confidence of his host?”
“Who, indeed?” said Mr. Mitchel. “But why do you say that?”
“Why, I am not entirely a fool. You do not trust me. You are not sure in your own mind whether or not I committed a theft on board of the yacht.”
“Am I not?” Mr. Mitchel asked this in a tone that made Mr. Livingstone look upon it in the light of a question, whereas Mr. Barnes, behind the bookcase, considered it as an answer.
“Why, no,” said Mr. Livingstone, replying. “Had you believed that the opal changed hands honorably, even though secretly, under cover of the darkness, you would not have asked me to explain my allusion to ‘conspirators.’ I trust, however, that my letter made it all clear to you.”
“Quite clear.”
“Then you are still willing to make the purchase?”
“If you still desire to sell. A certified check for the amount is ready for you. Have you brought the opal?”
“Yes. Have you the duplicate? It would be well to compare them before you purchase.”
“If you do not mind, I will do so.”
Mr. Mitchel turned to his safe and brought out a box which Mr. Barnes thought he recognized. Opening it he drew out a marvellous string of pearls, which he laid aside, while he took from beneath, a velvet case which contained the opal. Returning the pearls to the box he restored that to the safe, which he locked.
“Now, if you will let me see your opal,” said Mr. Mitchel, “I will compare the gems.”
“Here it is,” said Mr. Livingstone, handing Mr. Mitchel his opal.
Mr. Mitchel took the two opals in his hand, and, as they lay side by side, he examined them closely, observing the play of light as he turned them in various positions. To his critical eye they were marvellously beautiful; matchless, though matched. None could see these two and wonder that the old priests in Mexico had searched in vain for a second pair like them.
“Do you know why these opals are so exactly alike?” asked Mr. Livingstone.
“I am not sure,” said Mr. Mitchel, apparently absorbed in his scrutiny of the opals. “I have heard many reasons suggested. If you know the true explanation, suppose you tell me.”
“Willingly. You will observe that in each opal red lights seem to predominate on one side, while the blue and green are reflected from the other. Originally, this was one great egg-shaped opal, and it was cut in that shape, and then poised in the forehead of a single-eyed idol by the priests of a thousand years ago. By an ingenious mechanism the eye could be made to revolve in its socket, so that either the red or the blue-green side would be visible, as it suited the purpose of the priests, when overawing the tribesmen by pretended prophecies and other miraculous performances. In more recent times, since the advent of the Christians, one-eyed idols are not so plausible, and the priests cut the opal in half, thus making it serve in what may be termed a modernized idol.”
“Yes, I have heard that tale before. In fact, I have a metal ring which I was told would exactly encircle the two opals, if placed together to form an egg·”
“How could you have such a thing?” asked Mr. Livingstone, with genuine surprise.
“The man who stole the jewels, so the story goes, wishing to enhance their value as much as possible, arranged this as a scheme by which the genuineness of the opals could be tested. He placed the opals together, as before they were cut, and had a silver band made which would exactly clasp them in that position. This band opens and shuts with a spring catch, like a bracelet, and as, when closed, it exactly fits the opals, holding the two firmly together, the owner of the band could easily tell whether the true opals were before him, or not. In some way the opals were next stolen without the band, and their whereabouts was unknown when a dealer in Naples told me the story of the silver band, which he offered to sell me. I scarcely credited his tale, but as all large jewels might in time be offered to me, I thought it well to purchase the band.”
“Why, then, if you still have it, it would be interesting to make the test, would it not?”
“Yes, I think so, I will get the band.” Mr. Mitchel placed the two opals on the desk before him and went over to the safe, where he was occupied some time opening the combination lock. While he was thus busy a strange thing seemed to occur. At least it seemed strange to Mr. Barnes. He had marvelled to see Mr. Mitchel place the two opals within easy reach of Mr. Livingstone,
and then deliberately turn his back while he opened the safe. But what seemed more mysterious was Mr. Livingstone’s action. Mr. Mitchel had scarcely stooped before the safe when his guest leaned forward, with both arms outstretched simultaneously; his two hands grasped the opals, the hands then swiftly sought his vest pockets, after which he calmly puffed his cigar. Thus he seemed to have taken the opals from the table and to have placed them in his pockets. Yet how could he hope to explain their absence to Mr. Mitchel? This thought flashed through Mr. Barnes’s mind as his eyes instinctively turned again to the desk, when, to his utter astonishment, he saw the opals exactly where Mr. Mitchel had placed them. Had the thought that he could not explain away the disappearance caused the man to change his mind at the very moment when he had impulsively clutched the treasures? Mr. Barnes was puzzled, and somewhat worried too, for he began to fear that more had happened, or was happening, than he comprehended.
“Here is the band,” said Mr. Mitchel, returning to the desk, and resuming his seat. “Let us see how it fits the opals. First, let me ask you, are you confident that you are selling me one of the genuine Aztec opals?”
“I am. I have a history which makes its authenticity indubitable.”
“Then we will try our little test. There; the band clamps the two perfectly. Look for yourself.”
“Certainly; the test is complete. These are undoubtedly the Aztec opals. Mr. Mitchel, you are to be congratulated upon gaining possession of such unique gems.”
Mr. Livingstone arose as though about to leave.
“One moment, Mr. Livingstone; the jewels are not mine, yet. I have not paid you for yours.”
“Oh, between gentlemen there is no hurry about such matters.”
“Between gentlemen it may be as you say. But you said this was to be strictly in accordance with business methods. I prefer to pay at once. Here is my certified check. I will also ask you to sign this receipt.”
Mr. Livingstone seemed to hesitate for a moment. Mr. Barnes wondered why? He sat at the desk, however, and, after reading the receipt, he signed it, and took the check, which he placed in his pocketbook, saying:
Final Proof Page 20
