"I--I scarcely really know," he stammered. "As a lawyer I am brought into contact with all conditions of people. I have before now done my best for the criminal as I have for the honest man." "It is reassuring," she admitted. "Behold, then, my full confession. You have to do now with criminals--or may I say adventurers? We have, we three, to dispose of secretly a very large amount of precious stones. I have come to you for advice. The ordinary avenues of sale are closed to us. How can we get into touch with some one who will buy them and ask no questions?" Aaron Rodd was conscious of a little shock. Up to this last moment he had been doubtful. Notwithstanding the story which had been unfolded to him by Harvey Grimm, he had clung to his first impressions, impressions from which he was parting now with dire reluctance. "It is not an easy matter," he admitted, "but if anyone can help you, I can." The girl nodded. "There must be secrecy," she declared. "You see, my brother is, in a way, notorious. He has been very daring and very successful. For the sake of those who buy them, as well as for our own sake, the jewels must not be recognised afterwards. "I have a friend who might arrange it," Aaron Rodd announced. "I must warn you, however, that selling your stones in this way you cannot possibly receive their full value." "We do not expect that," the old man mumbled. "What we want, though, is the money--quickly." "My friend could doubtless manage that," the lawyer declared. "When can we see him?" the girl asked eagerly. "At once," was the prompt reply. "He was with me when you came and I sent him into my private apartments. If it is your wish, I will fetch him." "By all means," the old man insisted eagerly. "Yes, yes!" the girl echoed. Aaron Rodd rose to his feet and crossed the room to the door which led into his private apartment. He opened it and beckoned to its unseen occupant. "I have some clients here who would like a word with you, Grimm," he announced. "There may, perhaps, be some business." Harvey Grimm made his appearance at once. His air of curiosity, as he looked into the room, was very well done. "Business?" he repeated. "This gentleman and young lady," Aaron Rodd explained, "are clients of mine. Their names are unnecessary. They have consulted me as to the disposal of valuable jewels, their claim to which--might be open to question." Harvey Grimm threw the cigar which he had been smoking into the fire-place. "I see," he murmured. "Better tell me the circumstances." The girl repeated her story, with a few more details. The old man listened in a sort of placid stupor. He interrupted only once. "It is a foolish way, this. There is a man in Amsterdam----" "You will tell me what you advise, monsieur," the girl begged. "We must have money, and the jewels must be made unrecognisable." Harvey Grimm took a small magnifying glass from his pocket and screwed it together.