“I never felt better.  I told you that all I needed was to have that mystery solved.”

“And it was solved on schedule time, wasn’t it,” he smiled; “though not quite in the way I had anticipated.  Do you know, Lester,” he added, “I am going to claim that cabinet.”

“On what grounds?” I demanded.

“Because the man who owned it gave it to me,” and he got a paper out of his pocket-book and handed it across to me.

I opened it and recognised the delicate and feminine writing which I had seen once before.

     “My dear sir [the letter ran]: 

“I find that I made the mistake of underestimating you, and I present you my sincere apologies.  I trust that, at some future time, it may be my privilege to be again engaged with you—­the result is certain to be most interesting.  But at present I find that I must return to Europe by La Bretagne; since, after the trouble I have taken, it is impossible that I should consent to part with the brilliants of His Highness the Grand Duke.  As a slight souvenir of my high regard, I trust you will be willing to accept the cabinet Boule, which I am certain that good M. Lester will surrender to you if you will show to him this letter.  The cabinet is not only interesting in itself, but will be doubly so to you because of the part it has played in our little comedy.  And I should like to know that it adorns a corner of your home.

     “Till we meet again, dear sir, believe me

     “Your sincere admirer,

     “CROCHARD, L’Invincible!”

“He’s a good sport, isn’t he?” asked Godfrey, as I silently handed the letter back to him.  “What do you say about the cabinet?”

“I suppose there is no doubt that Crochard bought it,” I said.

“So that it is mine now?”

“Yes; but I’m going to solicit a bribe.”

“Go ahead and solicit it.”

“I want a souvenir, too,” I said.  “I’d like awfully well to have that letter—­besides,” I added, “it will be a kind of receipt, you know, if anybody ever questions my giving you the cabinet.”

Godfrey laughed and threw the letter across the table to me.

“It’s yours,” he said.  “And I’ll send for the cabinet to-morrow.  I suppose it is still at the station?”

“Yes; I haven’t had time to put in a claim for it.  But, Godfrey,” I added, “when did La Bretagne sail?”

“A week ago to-day.  She is due at Havre in the morning.”

“Did you warn them?”

“Warn them of what?”

“That Crochard is after the diamonds.  They went back on La Bretagne, I suppose?”

“Yes—­and Pigot went with them.  So why should I warn any one?  Surely they know that Crochard will get those diamonds if he can.  It has become a sort of point of honour with him, I imagine.  It is up to them to take care of them.”

“That oughtn’t to be difficult,” I said.  “The strong-room of a liner is about the safest place on earth.”