“The fact remains,” he said, as if reassuring himself, “that Haney described an accomplice, that that description fits Czenki perfectly, that Czenki has refused to defend himself or even make a denial; that he has drawn suspicion upon himself by everything he has done and said since he has been here, even by the strange manner of his appearance at this house.  Therefore, there were more diamonds, and he got his share of them.”

“Hello!” came in Mr. Birnes’ voice from the hall.  “Give me 21845 River, New York. . . .  Yes. . . .  Is Mr. Latham there? . . .  Yes, Henry Latham . . . .”

Again Mr. Wynne’s self-possession forsook him, and he came to his feet, evidently with the intention of interrupting that conversation.  He started forward, with gritting teeth, and simultaneously Chief Arkwright, Detective-Sergeant Connelly and Mr. Czenki laid restraining hands upon him.  Something in the expert’s grip on his wrist caused him to stop and cease a futile struggle; then came a singular expression of resignation about the mouth and he sat down again.

“Hello!  This Mr. Latham! . . . .  This is Detective Birnes. . . .  I’ve been able to locate some diamonds, but it’s necessary to know something of the quantity of those you mentioned.  You remember Mr. Schultze said something about . . . .  Yes. . . .  Yes. . . .  Oh, there were? . .  Unexpected developments, yes. . . .  I’ll call and see you to-night about eight. . . .  Yes. . . .  Good-by!”

Mr. Birnes reentered the room, his face aglow with triumph.  Mr. Wynne glanced almost hopelessly at Mr. Czenki, then turned again to the detective.

“I should say there were more than sixty thousand dollars’ worth of them,” Mr. Birnes blurted.  “There were at least a million dollars’ worth.  Mr. Schultze intimated as much to me; now Mr. Latham confirms it.”

Chief Arkwright turned and glared scowlingly upon the diamond expert.  The beady black eyes were alight with some emotion which he failed to read.

“Where are they, Czenki?” demanded the chief harshly.

“I have nothing to say,” replied Mr. Czenki softly.

“So your disappearance Friday night, and your absence all day yesterday did have to do with this old man’s death?” said the chief, directly accusing him.

“I have nothing to say,” murmured Mr. Czenki.

“That settles it, gentlemen,” declared the chief with an air of finality.  “Czenki, I charge you with the murder of Mr. Kellner here.  Anything you may say will be used against you.  Come along, now; don’t make any trouble.”

CHAPTER XVI

MR. CZENKI EXPLAINS

Fairly drunk with excitement, his lean face, usually expressionless, now flushed and working strangely, and his beady black eyes aglitter, Mr. Czenki reeled into the study where Mr. Latham and Mr. Schultze sat awaiting Mr. Birnes.  He raised one hand, enjoining silence, closed the door, locked it and placed the key in his pocket, after which he turned upon Mr. Latham.