"Yes."

Mr. Grafton was evidently sparring for time. He seemed uneasy--he looked uneasy, and it required no very astute mind to know that he was uneasy--out of his element.

"For all the world like a gasping fish on the bank," was the simile the colonel used.

"I have a case I wish you would take up for me," went on the merchant.

"It is somewhat peculiar."

"Most cases that come to us are," and the colonel smiled.

"And it is delicate."

"I could say that of nearly every one, also."

"So that I may rely on your silence and--er--discretion?"

"Sir!"

The colonel fairly bristled.

"I beg your pardon! I should not have asked that. But I am all upset over this matter."

"Then, sir, let me ease your mind by stating that whatever you tell me will be in strict confidence, as far as lies in my power to so observe it. I can not compound a felony, so if you have in mind the disclosure of anything that would incriminate you--"

"Incriminate me?"

"Yes, or involve you in any way. If you have anything like that in mind please don't tell me about it. I should feel obliged to make use of my knowledge. But if it is a matter in which you wish my advice, then--"

"I certainly _do_ need advice, Colonel. I have often heard you spoken of, and I have read of more than one of your cases. So when I got in this--well, I may as well call it trouble--I at once thought of you. I am fortunate, I believe, in seeing Colonel Ashley, himself, who, I understood, had retired, or perhaps is about to retire. I came here prepared to pay any reasonable amount," and the merchant drew out his wallet.

The colonel held up a protesting hand.

"Please don't--not yet," he said. "I can not accept a retaining fee until I have heard more of your case. It may be that I can not serve you. Give me some inkling of what you want. I hope you are not in serious trouble."

"It is serious--for me."

"Then I hope I can help you. Please be as frank as you think best.

The franker you are, the fewer questions I shall have to ask. Go on."

"Well then, I want to find a certain valuable diamond cross."

"A diamond cross?"

"Yes. I don't know just what it is worth, but I believe a small fortune."

"And was it stolen from you?"

"No. Though I do own a store where jewelry is sold, we don't carry an expensive line. This cross belonged to a friend of mine. She had it on when we were out walking together, and--well, it became damaged and I asked her to let me take it to have it repaired."

"Nothing very complicated or troublesome in that. I suppose the cross was stolen from you while it was temporarily in your possession, and you don't like to let your friend know, for fear she may suspect you.

Such things have happened. Did you ever read de Maupa.s.sant's 'Diamond Necklace?'"

"I never did."

"I'd advise you to. Also Walton."

"Is he a jeweler?"

"Lord, no! But I beg your pardon. Let us keep to the subject. So you don't dare tell your friend the diamond cross is gone?"

"Oh, yes, she knows it."

"Then why the worry, except about getting it back?"

"Well, there are complications. You see her husband--"

"Oh, ho!"

There was a world of meaning in that exclamation. Aaron Grafton turned a deep red and bit his lips. Colonel Ashley saw his annoyance.

"Look here!" exclaimed the old detective. "I really shouldn't have said that. But we detectives are used to all sorts of complications, and, more than once, they have to do with women. Often enough there is nothing more serious than a little indiscretion, but I can see where outsiders might make trouble--particularly _husbands_. I take it then that you and the lady were out together without her husband knowing it."

"I _hope_ he doesn't know of it, for though, on my honor, there was nothing wrong in our being together, it might be hard to make _him_ believe that."

"I quite agree with you--particularly if he were jealous, as many husbands are. So you want me to try to get this diamond cross, belonging to the married lady, back for you without her husband knowing anything about it?"

"That's it!"

"Where were you when you were robbed of it?"

"I wasn't robbed of it. I never said I was."

"Oh, I beg your pardon, I must have inferred that. Please go on, and, if you don't mind my asking you, kindly get to the point."

"I beg your pardon. Perhaps I am beating about the bush. Well, I'll be as frank as I can. Do you want me to give names?"

"It would be better, since I already know yours. I shall keep them in strict confidence, however, now that I am fairly well a.s.sured there is no ulterior motive in your visit to me. Proceed."

"Well, then, the diamond cross, which is worth I don't know how many thousand dollars, belongs to Mrs. Cynthia Larch, the wife of Langford Larch, who keeps a large hotel in--"

"Colchester! I know the place. Go on!" interrupted Colonel Ashley.

"I have stopped there on fishing trips," he added, as his caller looked a bit surprised.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Well, this was Mrs. Larch's cross. It is a family heirloom I believe, though many suppose her husband gave it to her for a wedding present. That is not so, however. I know Cynthia had the cross before she was married."

"You call her Cynthia?"

"I have known her since we were both children."