"I don't want that," and Iris looked perplexed. "Oh, I don't know what I _do_ want! But it's maddening to see him, and then have him get away! He's also a collector." "Ah, that helps. A collector of what?" "Of mementoes of crimes----" "Of what?" "It sounds silly, I know, but he told me so. Not exactly crimes, more of prominent people. Like a pencil that belonged to President Garfield, and such things." "Oh, a freak! I hoped you meant a prominent collector of valuable things; then we might trace him." "No; he collects queer things, it is a sort of harmless mania, I think. Well, if we can't find him, we can't. How much do I owe you?" This matter was adjusted, and Iris turned disconsolately back to her hotel. She had accomplished nothing on her Chicago trip, and unless the Craig people could give her information of importance, there was no use prolonging her visit. The rest of that day, and the morning of the next, she spent in the vicinity of the restaurant, hoping Pollock would return. But she didn't see him, and in the afternoon she went back to Craig, Marsden & Co. Mr. Reed greeted her pleasantly, but he had no important information. "We've many records of sales to Mrs. Pell," he related, "and, if you desire, I can give you a memorandum of them. Presumably, she had receipts in every case, but as I do not know the particular receipt you want, I can't offer you any data concerning it." "What are the transactions?" asked Iris. "Jewels she bought?" "Yes; and setting, and engraving. Mrs. Pell had a great deal of engraving done." "What sort of engraving?" "On silver or gold trinkets and ornaments." "Oh, yes, I know. All her silver has not only initials, but names and dates, and sometimes quotations or lines of poetry." "Yes, and she was most particular about that work. It was always done by our best engraver, and unless it just suited her we were treated to her finest sarcasm. Mrs. Pell was a wealthy and extravagant patron, but not affable or easy to please." "I know that, but she was a remarkable woman and a strong character often has peculiar ways. I am heir to half her fortune, and that gives me a sense of obligation that will never be canceled until I have avenged my aunt's death." Iris did not tell this man about the missing jewels, for it seemed of no use. But they discussed at length the jewels that he knew that Mrs. Pell had possessed, and Iris was amazed at the size and value of the amount. "Really!" she exclaimed. "Do you _know_ that my aunt had such an enormous fortune as that, in gems?" "I know that she had at the time of her dealings with us. That was ten years ago, or so, but then we had the handling of more than a million dollars' worth, and I know she added to her store after that." "Oh, where are they?" cried Iris forgetting her determination not to discuss this matter here. "Do you mean to say you don't know?" exclaimed Mr. Reed, astounded. So Iris told him about the will.