Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 131 by Maxwel l Grant

Author:Maxwel,l Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

CHAPTER XV. CHANBURY DECIDES

WHILE The Shadow was finishing his investigation in Manhattan, Henshew and Chanbury were at the latter's Long Island home. They were seated in the downstairs portrait room; between them lay opened jewel cases, with a fine array of gems.

Chanbury was inspecting the disguised stones that had once been Silsam's. He seemed totally oblivious to the bold game that Henshew was playing. He questioned the price of the collection. Henshew set it at a quarter million.

"I should like to buy them -"

Chanbury hesitated, to shake his head. If he expected Henshew to bargain, he missed a guess. Henshew was avoiding that. Moreover, he had noted the reluctant tone of Chanbury's voice. Henshew sat back and let Chanbury study the gems again.

After some twenty minutes, Chanbury still seemed uncertain, Henshew calmly put the gems back in their cases, remarking:

"I can bring them here again. It would be well, perhaps, to inform Inspector Cardona -"

His tone was almost a warning. Chanbury laughed as he clapped Henshew's shoulder.

"I won't make Silsam's mistake," said Chanbury. "He dealt with an impostor. I am dealing with the most reputable jewel merchant in this country!"

Henshew expressed his appreciation of Chanbury's compliment. He tried to pass it off with feigned modesty. That merely brought new praise from Chanbury.

"Your opinion is all I require," Chanbury told Henshew. "I know that your price is the right one. As for the police" - he shook his head - "frankly, I believe that all their moves are being watched. Where Cardona goes, crooks are apt to follow."

Chanbury glanced at his watch as though he had remembered something.

"It would be best for you to leave," he said, "if we are to keep this matter confidential. I expect an unwanted visitor - that private detective, Tyrune."

"Why is he coming here?" questioned Henshew, in a surprised tone.

"To check over those lists of Silsam's gems," explained Chanbury. "They want a better description. How they expect me to give one is a puzzle. The lists were far more detailed than any description that I can give."

THE statement pleased Henshew. At Chanbury's suggestion, he shoved the jewel cases into inside pockets so that none of the servants could see them. Eleanor was absent tonight; Henshew had made sure that it was the secretary's night off, before he arranged the visit.

"You are the one who must be careful," warned Chanbury. "You are carrying a valuable cargo."

"I am going straight to the office," returned Henshew. "They are waiting there for me, to put the gems in the vault."

Chanbury seemed reluctant because he had postponed the purchase. He stopped Henshew at the door and questioned:

"If I decide to buy, would you require cash?"

Henshew smiled, queried: "What else have you?"

Chanbury beckoned him to the desk. From deep in a drawer, he produced a chamois bag and poured its contents into the light. Henshew saw rough, uncut diamonds in a quantity that amazed him.

"I have gathered these for years," remarked Chanbury, "but they give me very little satisfaction. I should prefer finished stones, instead.

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