“The result turned out just as he had expected. The William Yules have been and still are suspected of the theft; and young Bloggs is a hero of romance with whom every one is in sympathy.” IV. Who Stole the Black Diamonds? Chapter I “Do you know who that is?” said the man in the corner, as he pushed a small packet of photos across the table. The picture on the top represented an entrancingly beautiful woman, with bare arms and neck, and a profusion of pearl and diamond ornaments about her head and throat. “Surely this is the Queen of——?” “Hush!” he broke in abruptly, with mock dismay; “you must mention no names.” “Why not?” I asked, laughing, for he looked so droll in his distress. “Look closely at the photo,” he replied, “and at the necklace and tiara that the lady is wearing.” “Yes,” I said. “Well?” “Do you mean to say you don’t recognise them?” I looked at the picture more closely, and then there suddenly came back to my mind that mysterious story of the Black Diamonds, which had not only bewildered the police of Europe, but also some of its diplomats. “Ah! I see you do recognise the jewels!” said the funny creature, after a while. “No wonder! for their design is unique, and photographs of that necklace and tiara were circulated practically throughout the world. “Of course I am not going to mention names, for you know very well who the royal heroes of this mysterious adventure were. For the purposes of my narrative, suppose I call them the King and Queen of ‘Bohemia.’ “The value of the stones was said to be fabulous, and it was only natural when the King of ‘Bohemia’ found himself somewhat in want of money—a want which has made itself felt before now with even the most powerful European monarchs—that he should decide to sell the precious trinkets, worth a small kingdom in themselves. In order to be in closer touch with the most likely customers, their Majesties of ‘Bohemia’ came over to England during the season of 1902—a season memorable alike for its deep sorrow and its great joy. “After the sad postponement of the Coronation festivities, they rented Eton Chase, a beautiful mansion just outside Chislehurst, for the summer months. There they entertained right royally, for the Queen was very gracious and the King a real sportsman—there also the rumour first got about that His Majesty had decided to sell the world-famous _parure_ of Black Diamonds. “Needless to say, they were not long in the market: quite a host of American millionaires had already coveted them for their wives, and brisk and sensational offers were made to His Majesty’s business man both by letter and telegram. “At last, however, Mr. Wilson, the multi-millionaire, was understood to have made an offer, for the necklace and tiara, of £500,000, which had been accepted.