The Rockingham Diamond

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1935, Page 13

The Rockingham Diamond

(By

Collinson Owen)

CHAPTER VII (continued.)

“Bring him up immediately. he said. Then, turning to Pilgrim: “This is Mr. Morgan, my lawyer, who had the ungrateful job of linking up my fate with that of the diamond. I wonder what he s got to say. 1 ' Mr. Morgan came in, an air of suppressed excitement about him. “I’ve only just heard the news,” he exclaimed. “I don’t usually gee the Daily Flash, but fortunately one of my clerks does, and he pointed it out to me less than an hour ago.” “Let me present the author of the startling story otherwise known as a scoop,” said Rockingham, indicating Pilgrim- Mr. Morgan bowed and smiled. “Well, this is a terrible affair,” he went on. “To be attacked and relieved of the diamond on the first night you wore it.” “Ah, there’s one point even Mr. Pilgrim doesn’t know,” said Rockingham. “I was attacked twice.” And he briefly related the details of his adventure. “It’s perfectly dreadful,” said the lawyer. “Twice in one evening. It’s a positive danger to wear. it. Frankly I was a little dubious about that side of the matter. I took steps to see what could be done in the way of insurance, but the insurance companies wouldn’t look at it. Their rates, anyhow, were quite prohibitive. . . / Anyhow, it’s gone, and you are safe. That’s the chief thing. And now what’s being done in the mat- ' ter?” Rockingham outlined the activities of Mr. Swann in the affair. “And is there any hope—or clue?” asked Mr. Morgan when he had heard it all. “I should have said there wasn’t a ghost of a chance,” said Rockingham. “But Mr. Pilgrim who understands these matters warns me not to be quite so sanguine.” “It is to be hoped,” begap Mr. Morgan, and stopped. “Well frankly, I hardly know what is to be hoped, If the diamond is recovered it seems to me you will spend your life battling footpads. It is hardly an inviting prospect.” “Precisely what I have been saying to Mr. Pilgrim,” said. Rockingham drily. “We can only leave it in the hands of Scotland Yard,” said Mr, Morgan, aimost piously. He might have been referring to providence. “But have you thought of the question of offering a reward.” “I have already thrust that temptation from me.” “Quite so, quite so. I felt it my duty to mention it. Well, all we can do is to hope for the best.” “What do you regard, as the best?” isked Rockingham quizzingly. The solicitor laughed frankly, and Beamed at his client through his glasses. “Really it a little difficult. AH my professional instmets clamour that such an enormously valuable object should be recovered immediately. But 1 see the other side of it, belieVe me I do—much more powerfully than when I first acquainted you with the terms of the will in my office . . . much more powerfully. Really, it is a most unconventional situation.” Mr. Morgan picked up his silk hat, as a preparatory to going. “It seem? to me,” he went on, “that nothing can be done until you hear something /'em Inspector Swann. Bless my soul, but it is the most extraordinary situation I have ever been concerned in. If ever anybody had told me that I should. . . But no, I must-not commit myself. Any such' unprofessional thoughts that come into my mind, I must keep entirely to myself.” He shook hands with both of them and made his. exit, begging Rockingham to let him know at once if there were any news. CHAPTER VIII. “I never saw a man so torn between stem duty and compassion,” laughed Pilgrim when the lawyer had gone. “In him you seem to have an ally.” “A neutral at any rate,” said Rockingham. “I. think his activity in the matter will be confined merely to looking on. And now, Mr. Pilgrim, what do you propose to do?” Pilgrim swept away the lock of hair from his forehead. His black eyes glittering hungrily as he looked at Rockingham“I’ve already got. erfough to make a first-class story for to-morrow. If 1 could only tell the world that you don’t want the diamond back. . .” Rockingham shook his head vigorously. “Not on any account. I told you it was. in confidence. I expect you to observe it.”

Pilgrim sighed. “Yes. I was just coming to that. . . Well, I can only suggest that I may ba allowed to keep in constant touch with you. We don’t know how the situation may change. At any moment you might be anxious to have something published immediately. I have a morning and an evening newspaper at your disposal at any time of the'day. Scoops inserted at the shortest notice. Official denials a specialty.” Pilgrim chuckled. “I can’t imagine ever feeling that way,” said Rockingham with a smile. “But I’ll accept the conditions, and I promise to let you know any development I think ought to be known.” “Only me. • •” ventured Pilgrim "anxiously. “Yes, only you. One is quite enough. “That’s splendid.” Pilgrim took a card

Rockingham sighed, and eyed the stranger with disfavour.

“But where are you proposing to go?” he asked of Pilgrim “Just into Hyde Park. We’ll drive round slowly while we talk. A’ closed taxi is as private a place as you can find.”

“I trust I am not a snob,” said Rockingham, “but so far, my perambulations in Hyde Park have never been. . . However.” He got in without giving further expression to his feelings.

(To be continued.)

out of his waistcoat pocket and scribbled on the back of it.

“Here are the various telephone numbers where I may be found; if you ever want me in a hurry; ask your man to go through these in rotation. But you can be sure I shall keep in touch with you. Would it be too much for you to tell your excellent retainer that whenever I ring up he should tell me the truth, as far as he knows it, about your movements and whereabouts?” “That shall be done,” said Rockingham. “It was very wise of you to think of it. You would get nothing out of Saunders otherwise.”

Pilgrim emitted his chuckle. “I recognised the arch-type of discreet manservant the moment I saw him. . . Well, Mr. Rockingham, if I think of anything that’s likely to help the situation, you may be sure you will hear of it at once. Good morning, and many thanks.” Pilgrim was very thoughtful as he walked up St. James’ Street into Piccadilly, It hurt him to leave Rockingham, but he could think of no excuse for staying any longer. For him it was a fiercely tantalising situation. Already he had enough.in hand to make a brilliant sequel to his “scoop” of the night before. What joy to be able to write a description of Rockingham's fear of the £lOO,OOO diamond coming back to him! That would .be something really out of the ordinary. But he was bound to respect tfie confidence reposed in him. Moreover he felt that the affair of the Rockingham diamond was by no means over yet. Swann might recover it; the story would have to come out, and he did not doubt for a moment that through Rockingham, he would be the first to get it. . It was a great stroke of luck that he had managed to arrive on such comparatively close terms of acquaintance with so unapproachable and elusive an individual as Rockingham. Pilgrim sized his man up well, and was confident that it would never occur to Rockingham to allow any other newspaper man to approach him on the matter. All the same, it was almost tragic to be in possession of so much and not be able to tell it. He grudged every step that he took away from Rockingham, ff he could have his way, he would stick to him like a brother as long as this affair lasted. Pilgrim’s . pace slackened. He felt troubled. Finally something impelled him to turn and .walk back the way he had come, He halted about fifty yards from the door to Rockingham’s chambers on he opposite side of the street, and waited. As he did so. 41® noticed that hanging about before the doorway was an undersized individual, with reddish hair and a ferrety expression. He wore a knotted muffler round his neck, and a cloth cap. pulled down over his face. He might have been a dog stealer, but he was certainly not the kind of person who belonged to a neighbourhood inhabited by Rockingham and his kind.. As Pilgrim looked, he saw Rockingham walk down the steps, his cane under his arm. No man was more calmly indifferent than Pilgrim to such details of life as elegance or fashion. But he could not help being impressed by the spectacle of Rockingham’s perfect, yet’ unobtrusive contour. As Rockingham Stood for a moment on the pavement, apparently undecided which way to walk, Pilgrim saw the little man in the cloth cap furtively approach and speak to him. Pilgrim lost no time but hurried up. “You here still?" said Rockingham as Pilgrim came up to them. He was in a temper again. “You see I can’t escape it.” “What’s he want?” Pilgrim asked. “He says "bek pardon, mister, and is it you that’s been robbed'of that bigdiamond?’ Now what the devil is one to do with this sort of thing?” “What’s your name?” said Pilgrim sharply, turning on the shabby stranger. “It’s Mr. Rockingham I want to speak to," replied the man, with a touch of what was evidently a natural surliness. Rockingham bounded at the sound of his name. “Dammit, but this is fame indeed. Everybody knows mel” . “And why not, duv’nor?” demanded the man almost fiercely. “’Aven’t I seen your picture in the papers.” Rockingham gripped his cane hard and for a moment seemed about to fall on this naw disturber of -his sense of the proprieties, but Pilgrim interposed quickly. A taxi had just drawn up near them and discharged a fare. Pilgrim seized the handle and threw the door open. “It’s no good kicking,” he said, drawing Rockingham aside. “You know now what it feels like to be a crowned head these days. You will be lucky if you can keep Off the movies. But you certainly ought to hear what this fellow has to say. It may be useful to you.. This chap may know something, even that will assist you in not finding the diamond again.”