“I was afraid that if she arrived over here she might give me away to the police. That’s why I pushed her overboard that stormy night.” “Do you think Pierre Jacquet knows his wife ran away with you?” “No; the ruffian believed she was entirely devoted to him. Poor little Aimee, if she had not such a nimble tongue she would be alive. The silly creature believed we could have been legally married in this country.” “I think possession of that green diamond is unlucky,” remarked Enoch seriously. The other laughed. “I’ll bet,” said Kidd, “that if I asked you to take charge of it you would not refuse.” “No; but I’d sell it as soon as possible,” returned Enoch. “How much do you suppose it is worth?” “That does not signify; we can never get anything like its real worth.” “We should be able to get fifty thousand dollars or more.” “I think I can find a purchaser.” “I wish you would, then.” “I’ll try to see the party I have in view to-night.” “Now,” said Kidd, and he appeared very anxious, “you have me in your power.” “What do you mean?” asked Enoch, in pretended surprise. “You alone know how Aimee Jacquet came to her death. Come what may, never inform on me. I will treat you square. As I intended all along, half the money received for the green diamond will be yours, Enoch.” Cook smiled. He was extremely avaricious, and the prospect of becoming possessor of a large sum of money was peculiarly pleasing to him. “I have had many pals,” he said, “and not one of them can say I ever played him false.” “I put you down as a true man when I first met you.” Enoch chuckled to himself. Had he possession of the Eye of Jobu, Kidd would soon discover how square his pal was. Cook would most certainly have appropriated the gem for himself. “I’m glad,” said the hypocrite, “you put confidence in me.” “Now,” remarked Dick, “you have not told me about that detective friend of yours.” “I met him down at Mike Quick’s, and he told me he had been engaged by our old master, Henry Stolburst. I told him Stolburst gave me the shake, but that wouldn’t go down. “When he spoke of the diamond, I pretended I knew nothing about it, and when he said you took it, I claimed I was ignorant of the fact. Then the detective wanted me to sell out to him.” “What do you mean by that?” inquired Kidd, in some surprise. “He told me I would be well paid if I put him onto you.” “Well?” “Of course I refused, and then he undertook to arrest me.” “How did you get away--knock him out, eh?” remarked Kidd. “Well, no,” replied Enoch, “I don’t think I’d be able to do that.” “I always supposed you were very fly in using your dukes.” “Yes, but I am not a marker to the other fellow.” “Daisy, eh?” “You bet.” “What’s the chap’s name?” “Burt Cromwell.” “I’ve heard of him before.” “He’s a chap that would never stand any fooling,” said Cook. “I guess we’ll fool him some,” remarked Dick, smiling. “I only wish we may.”