“I shall now make you laugh,” said Moris Klaw. “I shall tell you what he was thinking of at the psychological instant--that mysterious thief. He was thinking of two things. One was a very pretty, fair young lady, and the other was a funny thing. He was thinking of throwing twelve peanuts into a parrot’s cage!” V There are speeches so entirely unexpected that their effect is unappreciable until some little time after the utterance. This speech of Moris Klaw’s was of that description. For some moments no one seemed to grasp exactly what he had said, simple though his words had been. Then, it was borne home to us--that grotesque declaration; and I think I have never seen men more amazed. Could he be jesting? “Mr. Klaw----” began Sir John Carron. But-- “One moment, Sir John,” interrupted Klaw. “Let all remain here for one moment. I shall return.” Whilst we stared, like so many fools, he shuffled from the office with his awkward gait. During his brief absence no one spoke. We were restrained, undoubtedly, by the presence of Isis Klaw, who, one hand upon her hip and with the other swinging her big ermine muff, smiled at us with a sort of pitying scorn for our stupidity. Moris Klaw returned. “Let me see,” he rumbled, reflectively, “have you, Sir John Carron or Mr. Chinje, a specimen of the handwriting of the Gaekwar of Nizam?” Chinje and Sir John stared. “At the office--possibly,” replied Sir John. “I have my instructions, signed by him,” said Mr. Chinje. “But not here.” “At your hotel, yes?” “Yes,” replied Chinje, shortly. He gave me the impression that he resented Moris Klaw’s catechizing as that of a fool and an incompetent meddler with affairs of great importance. “Then, gentlemen,” said Klaw, “we must adjourn to examine that signature.” “Really,” the younger Mr. Anderson burst out, “I must protest against this! You will pardon me, Mr. Klaw; I believe you to be sincere in your efforts on our behalf, but such an expedition can be no more than a wild-goose chase! What can the Gaekwar’s signature have to do with the theft of the diamond?” “I will tell you something, my feverish friend,” said Moris Klaw, slowly. “The Blue Rajah is not on these premises. It is gone! It went before I came. If it is ever to come back you will put on your hat and accompany me to examine the signature to Mr. Chinje’s instructions.” “I must add my protest to Mr. Anderson’s,” remarked Chinje. “This is mere waste of time.” “Mr. Grimsby,” resumed Klaw, placidly, “it is a case to be hushed up, this. There must be no arrests!” “Eh?” cried Grimsby. “Sir John Carron will ring up the Commissioner and he will say that Detective-Inspector Grimsby has traced the Blue Rajah, which was stolen, but that, for reasons of state, Detective-Inspector Grimsby will make a confidential report and no arrest!” “Really----” began Sir John.