“Thank you—Mr. Forshaw. I’m very much obliged to you, I’m sure, for showing me round as you have. I’ll be getting along now.” Then he was suddenly impelled to ask a question. “I suppose a good many people have had a good look at these three articles already?” “On the contrary—you’re the first, Mr. Daventry. That is, of course, up to the moment. They haven’t been on show very long.” Peter shook hands and laughed. “My remarks seem to miss fire every time.” “Good afternoon, sir.” “Good afternoon.” He passed by the middle-aged man at the entrance and pushed something into his hand. The man looked at it and smiled—then put his finger to his forehead in salute. “Thank you, sir. You’re a gentleman. Still—there was no necessity——” Peter waved a sympathetic hand and departed. Half an hour later saw him back at the office in Cornhill. “Well?” said Linnell as he entered the room, “everything satisfactory?” Peter sat on the corner of the table and swung his leg. “I went up there, as we arranged, and I had a look at the stuff we’ve been asked to get.” He paused. “Yes?” interrogated Linnell. “What did you think of it?” “Hard to say. The Pearl Collar is really magnificent, and the screen I should say will prove a tremendous attraction for the ‘genus’ collector—the species that we are deputed to represent—the Rosary, in my opinion, won’t fetch anything like so much.” “H’m,” said Linnell reflectively. He traced a pattern on his blotting-paper with his pen. Then he looked up at his companion. “Has it struck you, Daventry—that we may possibly be running a big risk over this business?” Peter looked startled. “How do you mean?” Linnell opened a drawer and handed over a letter. “Supposing that letter hadn’t come from Stewart; supposing that signature—purporting to be Stewart’s——was a forgery?” Peter’s eyes opened even wider. “That’s interesting. Go on!” Linnell from Lancashire went on. And emphasized his points with quick jerks of the head. “We are instructed to _purchase_! That is to say Stewart in no way restricts us. He mentions no limit. Supposing we pay, for argument’s sake, £25,000—thinking we’re acting for Stewart—and then Stewart repudiates ever having commissioned us! And then, after that, we find our £25,000 worth of stuff is worth say—only £15,000. Where are we then, Daventry? I’ve inflated the figures purposely.” “Down the mine, Daddy,” declared Peter. “But what’s the Big Idea—who would ever——?” “Who would? Seems to me Day, Forshaw and Palmers might find it a very healthy proposition,” replied Linnell. “And that’s what you really think?” asked Peter incredulously. “No—I don’t!” said Linnell grimly. “But I’m damned well going to find out.” “How? Go and see Stewart?” Peter was all alertness now. “No! I’ve telegraphed to him—this morning. The answer should be here at any moment! That should be sufficient.” He looked at his watch. Peter selected a cigarette—then handed his case to Linnell. “Thanks! I don’t mind if I do.”