“To begin with,” asked Nick, with a steadfast scrutiny of Venner’s darkly attractive face, “what is the value of the stolen diamonds?”

“About four thousand dollars.”

“Ten in number, I was told.”

“Precisely.”

“Are they of uniform value?”

“Nearly so.  They are splendid gems, and perfectly matched, and are worth about four hundred dollars each.  I wanted them for a special purpose, which—­”

“Which I will presently arrive at,” Nick courteously interposed.  “I understand, Mr. Venner, that you called yesterday at the store of Thomas Hafferman and made some inquiries about these stones?”

“I did, and also examined them.”

“In what part of Hafferman’s store were you at the time?”

“In his private office.”

“Were any of the clerks present?”

“Not any—­Stay!  One of the clerks brought in the diamonds to Mr. Hafferman, but he did not remain.  Only Mr. Hafferman himself remained with me while we discussed the matter.”

“Do you know the clerk’s name?”

“Boyden, I think, he was called.”

“The same who brought the diamonds here this morning,” put in Mr. Garside.  “His name is Harry Boyden.”

Nick made a note of it in a small book which he drew from his pocket.

“Did you make any deal at that time regarding the diamonds?” he inquired.

“I only had them reserved for me a day or two, stating that I would either call again or send an order for them, if I decided to purchase them,” replied Venner.

“Are you quite sure that only Mr. Hafferman heard you make that statement?”

“Sure only in that the office door was closed, and that he alone was with me.  If there were any eavesdroppers about I did not suspect it.”

“Naturally not,” smiled Nick.  “Now, then, for what special purpose did you want those particular diamonds?  I think you referred to one.”

A slight tinge of red appeared in Venner’s cheeks when he replied, a change which by no means escaped Nick’s observation.

“I wanted the stones, or then thought I might, for a customer who contemplated giving me an order for a valuable diamond cross, to be worn upon the stage.  We happen to have in stock no diamonds perfectly adapted to her requirements, and so I called upon Hafferman to learn if he could supply me.”

“Who is the customer, Mr. Venner?”

“I do not see how her identity can be at all essential to the investigation of this affair, yet I have no objection to disclosing it,” said Venner, frowning slightly.

“Why demur over it, then?” demanded Nick, bluntly.

“Only because of an aversion to bringing the lady into the case, of which she, of course, knows nothing,” retorted Venner.  “I expected the order from Senora Cervera, the Spanish dancer.”

“Ah!  Is she not a member of the Mammoth Vaudeville Troupe, which has been playing here to packed houses for several months?”