The Voice in the Fog - Page 54/93

Some one had entered the bedroom, overpowered the guard, and looted the

bag containing the emeralds. The prince, the lightest of sleepers, had

slept through it all. He had awakened with a violent headache, as had

four of his servants. The big Rajput who had stood watch was in the

hospital, still unconscious.

All the way from San Francisco the police had been waiting for such a

catastrophe. The newspapers had taken up and published broadcast the

story of the prince's pastime. Naturally enough, there was not a crook

in all America who was not waiting for a possible chance. Ten

emeralds, weighing from six to ten carats each; a fortune, even if

broken up.

Haggerty laid aside the newspaper and gravely finished his ham and eggs.

"I'll take a peek int' this, Milly," he said to his wife. "We've been

waiting for this t' happen. A million dollars in jools in a chest y'

could open with a can-opener. Queer ginks, these Hindus. We see lots

o' fakers, but this one is the real article. Mebbe a reward. All

right; little ol' Haggerty can use th' money. I may not be home t'

supper."

"Anything more about Mr. Crawford's valet?"

Haggerty scowled. "Not a line. I've been living in gambling joints,

but no sign of him. He gambled in th' ol' days; some time 'r other

he'll wander in somewhere an' try t' copper th' king. No sign of him

round Crawford's ol' place. But I'll get him; it's a hunch. By-by!"

Later, the detective was conducted into the Maharajah's reception-room.

The prince, in his soft drawling English (far more erudite and polished

than Haggerty's, if not so direct), explained the situation, omitting

no detail. He would give two thousand five hundred for the recovery of

the stones.

"At what are they valued?"

"By your customs appraisers, forty thousand. To me they are priceless."

"Six t' ten carats? Why, they're worth more than that."

The prince smiled. "That was for the public."

"I'll take a look int' your bedroom," said Haggerty, rising.

"Oh, no; that is not at all necessary," protested the prince.

"How d' you suppose I'm going t' find out who done it, or how it was

done, then?" demanded Haggerty, bewildered.

A swift oriental gesture.

The hotel manager soothed Haggerty by explaining that the prince's

caste would not permit an alien to touch anything in the bedroom while

it contained the prince's belongings.

"Well, wouldn't that get your goat!" exploded Haggerty. "That lets me

out. You'll have to get a clairyvoint."

The prince suggested that he be given another suite. His servants

would remove his belongings. He promised that nothing else should be

touched.