"Before we separate," I began, "I have a word to say about the

experiment which has been tried to-night. Two distinct objects were to

be gained by it. The first of these objects was to prove, that Mr. Blake

entered this room, and took the Diamond, last year, acting unconsciously

and irresponsibly, under the influence of opium. After what you have

both seen, are you both satisfied, so far?"

They answered me in the affirmative, without a moment's hesitation.

"The second object," I went on, "was to discover what he did with the

Diamond, after he was seen by Miss Verinder to leave her sitting-room

with the jewel in his hand, on the birthday night. The gaining of this

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object depended, of course, on his still continuing exactly to repeat

his proceedings of last year. He has failed to do that; and the purpose

of the experiment is defeated accordingly. I can't assert that I am

not disappointed at the result--but I can honestly say that I am not

surprised by it. I told Mr. Blake from the first, that our complete

success in this matter depended on our completely reproducing in him the

physical and moral conditions of last year--and I warned him that this

was the next thing to a downright impossibility. We have only partially

reproduced the conditions, and the experiment has been only partially

successful in consequence. It is also possible that I may have

administered too large a dose of laudanum. But I myself look upon the

first reason that I have given, as the true reason why we have to lament

a failure, as well as to rejoice over a success."

After saying those words, I put the writing materials before Mr. Bruff,

and asked him if he had any objection--before we separated for the

night--to draw out, and sign, a plain statement of what he had seen.

He at once took the pen, and produced the statement with the fluent

readiness of a practised hand.

"I owe you this," he said, signing the paper, "as some atonement for

what passed between us earlier in the evening. I beg your pardon,

Mr. Jennings, for having doubted you. You have done Franklin Blake an

inestimable service. In our legal phrase, you have proved your case."

Betteredge's apology was characteristic of the man.

"Mr. Jennings," he said, "when you read ROBINSON CRUSOE again (which I

strongly recommend you to do), you will find that he never scruples to

acknowledge it, when he turns out to have been in the wrong. Please

to consider me, sir, as doing what Robinson Crusoe did, on the present

occasion." With those words he signed the paper in his turn.




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