During all this time Bertie's sensations were indescribable. He felt as though he were under the power of some hideous spell. He would have given anything to have been able to spring up and denounce the miscreant who had wrought this crime. There would have been something worthy of a hero in that; but he could not do it, he was spellbound. Perhaps the consciousness of the revolver which was in the captain's pocket had something to do with his state of mind; but it was not only that, he was paralysed by the position itself--by the knowledge that his own act had made him the companion of such a rogue. Just at the moment the captain raised his hand, as if by chance, and tapped the inner pocket of his coat. Slight though the action was, Bertie saw it, and he shuddered. But there was worse to follow. The remark was made by the severe-looking gentleman. "What strikes me is, how was the theft performed? Those in charge of the box swear that it was never out of their sight. When they started the jewels were in it; when they reached their journey's end they were gone. They couldn't have been spirited away." "The boxes were changed." Bertie felt that his heart had ceased to beat. The words were spoken by "Uncle Tom." It was the first time he had opened his lips. The eyes of all in the carriage were fixed upon him. He was seated, apparently quite at his ease, a cigar in his mouth, one hand upon his knee, and, as he spoke, with the other he undid the top button of his overcoat. "How could they be changed? Those in charge state that they never lost sight of the particular box in which the jewels were." The captain took his cigar out of his mouth, and puffed out a wreath of smoke. "I have a theory of my own upon the subject." "And I say it is monstrous! preposterous! incredible! Do you mean to tell me such a trick as that could have been played in the light of day?" This was from the stout old gentleman. "Apparently it was done in the light of day, however it was done. I have only suggested a theory. Of course you are at liberty to accept it or reject it, as you please." "I do reject it entirely! absolutely! I am sixty-seven next June, and I know perfectly well that no such trick would be played on me." "You are, probably, a person of peculiar acumen." But the stout old gentleman was not to be flattered. "As you have a theory of how the robbery was performed, perhaps you have a theory of how the robbers might be caught." "I have one or two theories. I could go further and say that, if it were made worth my while, I would engage to find the thieves." "Made worth your while, sir! Isn't it worth every honest man's while to find a thief?" "Not necessarily. Take your own case. Would you be prepared to find the thieves?" "If I knew where they were."