"Of course, sonny, of course. I'm not kicking--it was a fair game," the big fellow returned without a shadow of anger. "So you saw me take them, did you? Why didn't you sing out at the time?" "It all happened so quickly that I could hardly trust my eyes," was the response. "Besides, you looked so much like a gentleman that I couldn't believe you were just a--a--" "Thief," cut in Stuart sharply, supplying the word at which the boy had halted. Nevertheless despite the glibness with which he uttered it, he cringed and a flood of telltale color rose to his hair. It was the first time he had exhibited the slightest feeling. Uncomfortably Christopher nodded. "Well, that's what I am, you see," continued the man who had now regained his former debonnaire manner, "so the next time look out and don't be taken in. There are gentlemen who are thieves, sonny, and then again there are thieves who are gentlemen--at least I hope so." So unruffled was his temper, so brave the front he put on the inevitable, that as Christopher saw him led away between two guards a momentary pang of regret passed over him. If Stuart had only happened to have turned his talents to some profession besides diamond stealing, what a delightful acquaintance he might have proved. But the next instant Corrigan, the head inspector, broke in on this reverie, and his words banished further repining: "The scoundrel won't open his lips," declared he to Mr. Burton. "What he's done with those diamonds we can't find out. He's mum as an oyster. I hoped we might tempt him into making a clean breast of the matter--but not he! He's too hardened a chap for repentance, I reckon." "His pal, Tony, may have them." "No doubt," acquiesced the chief. "The two probably have a cache where they stow their loot." "I wish we could find it." "So do I, with all my heart. We may, too, if we succeed in running down the other chap," Corrigan returned. "I shan't give up hope with Mr. Christopher on the job." "I fancy my son isn't going into the business of tracking down criminals permanently," Burton, Senior, retorted a bit stiffly. "Like enough not," came tartly from Corrigan. "Still, he can keep his peepers open, eh, youngster?" He smiled down upon Christopher from beneath his shaggy brows, and Christopher smiled back. There was something very likeable about Corrigan. "I'll look alive," grinned the boy. "Only of course you know this kill was just a fluke." The modest words evidently pleased the inspector. "That's all right," said he. "You may make another. Who knows?" He patted the lad's shoulder encouragingly and in friendly fashion added: "Nobody bags a diamond robber every day." They went out--Mr. Burton, his son, and the two clerks. "We may as well go to luncheon now," announced Christopher's father, when the men had left them. "Where shall we go? We'll have a real celebration in honor of Stuart's capture." "Poor Stuart!" murmured the lad.