The Rockingham Diamond

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1935, Page 11

The Rockingham Diamond

(By

Collinson Owen)

CHAPTER XV (continued.) “It’s very kind of you, Mr. Rockingham, —very kind of you. I will add this to my collection of gifts from royal persons. If I may say so it is one of the handsomest I have ever received.” “It is always a pleasure to be in good company,” said Rockingham with a smile. “Oh, but you have nothing to put it in.’ Unfortunately I have no Court Chamberlain to do these little things for me.” His eyes fell on a small gold cigarette case on the table. “Ah, I think that will do nicely. Allow me.” He took the pin from the detective, put it in the case, snapped it together and gracefully presented them both. Mr. Swann knevz how to appreciate a beau geste. He was a little overcome, as he murmured further thanks. The aura of Rockingham's impulsive generosity still surrounded him as he went down in the lift. “Joke,” he murmured. “It's a joke all right. But I must say he’s a sport. So’s the other one for the mattex' of that.”.

CHAPTER XVI. Pilgrim also had had a great deal to think about after he had left Rockingham. Their trip to Montmartre had followed the usual lines, and Rockingham had seemed quite himself throughout it all. There had been a good deal of champagne, and Pilgrim hoped that Rockingham would be no exception to the usual rule, and might grow more communicative under its influence. But he had said no further word with regard to Sir Marcus. Pilgrim began to feel that the more he had to do with the mystery the less advantage he was getting out of it. What he and his newspaper' wanted was results. It was no use knowing a great deal if he could put none of it into print. As a result of much cogitation with himself next morning he decided to go and sec Rockingham and press him to agree that some sort of “story” shomd be published—something which while keeping back the essential facts would stimulate the interest of his readers—-

and incidentally show his editor that he was not merely engaged on a wildgoose -chase. He expected opposition from Rockingham, but was prepared to advance his own cause warmly. At the same time he was anxious to avoid anything remotely approaching a break between them. Sooner or later he was convinced he would come into his own as a result of his association with Rockingham. He took a cab up to the Hotel Champs Elysees, and after a short wait was taken up to Rockingham’s salon. Pilgrim found him just sealing up an envelope which Saunders was waiting to take away. Rockingham turned to Pilgrim as soon as they were alone. “I have just sent off a letter cancelling an important engagement for to-night,” he said. “Life has become a burden to me again.” Pilgrim saw that he was looking listless and depressed, but did not seize at once the significance of ■ his words. “Why, what is the matter?”- he asked. Without answering Rockingham walked to the table, picked up a small blue morocco box and tossed it to Pilgrim, who received it in his lap. Wondering, he opened it, and immediately gasped. “Good Lord!” he cried. “It’s come back, then.” He picked up the dazzling object and examined it carefully, looking at it from one angle and another, staring at its wonderful sparkle, and finally turning it over to examine the special setting exclaiming all the while.

“How did it happen?” he said at length. “But first of all, knowing what you feel about it, may I say how sorry I am. It seems absurd when I look at it, and realise what it is worth .•. . but all the same—well, it’s hard lines.” “I appreciate your sympathy,” said Rockingham. “Even Inspector .Swann seemed touched.”

“Swann!” cried Pilgrim. “Do you mean to say then that he . . .?’’ Rockingham shook his head. “No, no. He had nothing to do with its return. He was merely here when it arrived. As a matter of fact it came at a rather opportune moment. I must say that for it.” He gave Pilgrim a brief outline of what had happened, and ended by handing him the message that came with it.

“But it’s amazing,” said Pilgrim. “A joke, eh! Why on earth should Sir Marcus have done this?”

And suddenly he realised that he was on delicate ground again. There was now a mystery within, a mystery. Sir Marcus for some extraordinary reason, was no longer a subject for free and open discussion between them. Rockingham shrugged his shoulders. “Why look for rhyme or reason in all this,” he said. “The incubus has returned to its victim and that Is all that matters.”

Pilgrim took the plunge. “There is one other thing that Hunters,” he said. “How much do you propose I shall say about it?” Rockingham stared.

“In your paper, you mean? Good Lord! Not a word, I hope.” “But you forget that I am first and last a newspaper man. One of these days my editor will be expecting to hear something from me.” “My dear Pilgrim, damn your editor. But apart from that, don’t you see that if you give this news away I am once more the target for every thug in Christendom.”

“Well, but isn’t that the likeliest way of getting rid of it again?” “True, there’s something in that.” "Moreover,” pursued Pilgrim, “you don’t suppose, I hope, that this is likely to remain a secret long in Paris, Swann will tell the Surete people about it I expect. And the relations between police and Press here are quite different from ours. It won’t remain a secret long in Paris. I shouldn’t be a bit surprised to see some mention of it in the evening papers today!” “Good Lord, I hadn’t thought of that. Of course, I am liable to the same persecution here as in London.”

“Worse, a hundred times worse. And whatever appears here will be at once cabled to London and New York. Pilgrim pursued relentlessly. “Now, I know the facts of the case, and I know what to leave out. I suggest to you that I write up a story at once, submit it to you, and send it over to London. You can at least be sure that nothing absurd will appear in the ‘Daily Flash.’ ” Rockingham paced up and down the room, his head sunk a little on his chest. He was obviously a little impressed by

Pilgrim’s ingenious arguments. But suddenly he brought his hands together with a loud clap, and his face lit up as that of a man who has beheld an unexpected glory. "“AU right, Pilgrim, go ahead,” he cried. “Give your public its sensations. Feed them up on the miseries of a man who is bowed down by an intolerable burden. Let them gloat over the spectacle of the wretch who is condemned to wear the Rockingham Diamond in his shirt. Carry on, Pilgrim, carry on! Give it ’em hot. Tickle the groundlings, feed the vultures, and throw buns to the bears! In other words do your duty by the public—th/ insatiable public which . must have its three square meals of sensation every day.” Pilgrim did not know whether to be delighted or apprehensive at the outburst. He looked at Rockingham's transformed face in amazement. .

“I see my way out of it Pilgrim,” Rockingham went on. “Only yesterday the incomparable Saunders suggested that I should fly from my fate. That was in case the diamond merely threatened to turn up again. But now the need for flight is all the greater. It has turned up and only a week ago a friend of mine Bobby Arlington-you must have heard of him—begged me to join him in a great shooting and exploring trip starting in East Africa. . It was to be de luxe from start to. finish re-gardless-something really chic in hunting trips. He asked me to put down a few thousands and go in with him. I refused. I had no desire just then to

turn my back on civilisation. But now, my dear Pilgrim the idea strikes .me as inspired. With one little telegram'' to Bobby Arlington I’m going to cut through the knot of all my troubles. I refuse any longer to let that wretched thing lying in your lap lie on my life like a nightmare. . . By Jove, I wonder if that was what uncle intended when he did it?” ' • . "It is a great scheme,” murmured Pilgrim, “And such a simple way out too.”

“AU great ideas are. I’ll go and live in a hunting shirt and field boots—dear old field boots again—and perhaps I shan’t want to come back to civilisation at aIL Anvhow, it’s at least a six’ months.respite and by that time anything may have happened—anyhow the dear old public will have forgotten all about it. So hurry off- and tell them all about it, but don’t put a word in of this Heavensent inspiration that has just come to me. And that reminds me —I’ll accept your suggestion and see w’hat you write before it goes. I’ll be censor. Bring it back here at five o’clock. Will • that do?” “Excellently,” said Pilgrim his satisfaction escaping in his habitual chuckles. He replaced the diamond carelessly -on th° table* Never had a magnificent jewel been so slightingly handled. It lay there neglected, despised, its sparkling fires unheeded by the two men. Even Pilgrim did riot bestow another glance on it. His mind was too full of the cnance that at last was his. (To be continued.)