How he tried his luck again with another lady, and how THAT marriage
also broke down on the question of money, you know already. You
also know of the legacy of five thousand pounds, left to him shortly
afterwards, by one of those many admirers among the soft sex whose good
graces this fascinating man had contrived to win. That legacy (as the
event has proved) led him to his death.
I have ascertained that when he went abroad, on getting his five
thousand pounds, he went to Amsterdam. There he made all the necessary
arrangements for having the Diamond cut into separate stones. He came
back (in disguise), and redeemed the Moonstone, on the appointed day.
A few days were allowed to elapse (as a precaution agreed to by both
parties) before the jewel was actually taken out of the bank. If he had
got safe with it to Amsterdam, there would have been just time between
July 'forty-nine, and February 'fifty (when the young gentleman came of
age) to cut the Diamond, and to make a marketable commodity (polished or
unpolished) of the separate stones. Judge from this, what motives he
had to run the risk which he actually ran. It was "neck or nothing" with
him--if ever it was "neck or nothing" with a man yet.
I have only to remind you, before closing this Report, that there is a
chance of laying hands on the Indians, and of recovering the Moonstone
yet. They are now (there is every reason to believe) on their passage to
Bombay, in an East Indiaman. The ship (barring accidents) will touch
at no other port on her way out; and the authorities at Bombay (already
communicated with by letter, overland) will be prepared to board the
vessel, the moment she enters the harbour.
I have the honour to remain, dear sir, your obedient servant, RICHARD
CUFF (late sergeant in the Detective Force, Scotland Yard, London).* * NOTE.--Wherever the Report touches on the events of the
birthday, or of the three days that followed it, compare
with Betteredge's Narrative, chapters viii. to xiii.