“For that matter,” said the explorer, “I had two white men with me when I visited the infidel shrine.” “You have not, then, finished your story,” remarked Burt. “The part most interesting to me is to come,” said Stolburst. “I am all attention.” “In the eye of this idol,” continued the explorer, “was a diamond having, queer to say, a distinctively greenish tint. The stone is larger and certainly more valuable than the great British crown jewel. It is claimed I stole the jewel.” “Did you?” asked the detective. Stolburst changed color. “I purchased it,” he said, after a pause, “from the man in charge.” “You must have known he had no right to dispose of it.” “People do not have much scruple when they deal with untutored barbarians,” replied Stolburst. “It is because of the theft you fear Ajeeb?” asked Burt. “Yes; could I return the stone all would be well.” “Then you have disposed of it?” “No.” “Did you lose it?” “The diamond was stolen from me by one of my servants, a man named Dick Kidd.” Burt smiled. “Kidd,” he said, “seems a peculiarly fitting name for a thief.” “Now,” said Stolburst, not minding the interruption, “I want you to find this man, and make him give up the stone.” “Does he know it was stolen?” asked the detective. “I believe not.” “If he does,” remarked Burt, “he will refuse to give it up. By the way, is the man in this part of the country?” “I think both he and his fellow servant, Sam Henry, are here in New York. It was here I engaged them before making my last trip into Africa.” “How am I to know the pair?” “I have provided for that.” Stolburst took from his pocket two photographs, which he handed to the detective. Burt looked at the photographs attentively. “I know that fellow; that is, I used to know him. He was a schoolmate of mine, but he went to the bad upon reaching manhood.” “That,” said the explorer, “is Sam Henry. Do you know the other?” “No.” “If you can run across Henry, I guess you’ll find Kidd not far off.” “I have your word for it that if the diamond eye of the idol is recovered and given you it will be turned over to its proper custodians?” “Yes. Why do you ask?” “Because if the promise were not given I would not move in the matter. Now as to the man you know as Sam Henry, if he is the same party I take him to be, his correct name is Enoch Cook.” “Do you think you can find him?” asked Stolburst. “If he is in New York I can.” “Both he and Kidd are very desperate men. I have seen their courage proven more than a score of times.” “I never yet saw the man I feared,” remarked Burt, with quiet dignity. “As a boy Enoch Cook was a great boaster. How long was he in your employ?” “Henry was with me two years.” “I have missed Enoch from New York just about that length of time.” “I hope the men are identical; it will make your work so much easier.” “Did you promise Ajeeb to return the diamond?” “No,” replied the explorer, with some hesitation. “Why not?”