Mr. Bruff took me aside, as we rose from the table.
"One word about the Diamond," he said. "Your theory is that Franklin
Blake hid the Moonstone in his room. My theory is, that the Moonstone
is in the possession of Mr. Luker's bankers in London. We won't dispute
which of us is right. We will only ask, which of us is in a position to
put his theory to the test?"
"The test, in my case," I answered, "has been tried to-night, and has
failed."
"The test, in my case," rejoined Mr. Bruff, "is still in process of
trial. For the last two days I have had a watch set for Mr. Luker at the
bank; and I shall cause that watch to be continued until the last day
of the month. I know that he must take the Diamond himself out of his
bankers' hands--and I am acting on the chance that the person who has
pledged the Diamond may force him to do this by redeeming the pledge.
In that case I may be able to lay my hand on the person. If I succeed, I
clear up the mystery, exactly at the point where the mystery baffles us
now! Do you admit that, so far?"
I admitted it readily.
"I am going back to town by the morning train," pursued the lawyer. "I
may hear, when I return, that a discovery has been made--and it may be
of the greatest importance that I should have Franklin Blake at hand to
appeal to, if necessary. I intend to tell him, as soon as he wakes, that
he must return with me to London. After all that has happened, may I
trust to your influence to back me?"
"Certainly!" I said.
Mr. Bruff shook hands with me, and left the room. Betteredge followed
him out; I went to the sofa to look at Mr. Blake. He had not moved since
I had laid him down and made his bed--he lay locked in a deep and quiet
sleep.
While I was still looking at him, I heard the bedroom door softly
opened. Once more, Miss Verinder appeared on the threshold, in her
pretty summer dress.
"Do me a last favour?" she whispered. "Let me watch him with you."
I hesitated--not in the interests of propriety; only in the interest of
her night's rest. She came close to me, and took my hand.
"I can't sleep; I can't even sit still, in my own room," she said. "Oh,
Mr. Jennings, if you were me, only think how you would long to sit and
look at him. Say, yes! Do!"