"
"There you are, all back again, Mr. Bunfit, not making your ground good as
you go. Smiler and Cann did their job according to order--and precious
sore hearts they had when they'd got the box open. Those fellows at
Carlisle--just like all the provincials--went to work open mouthed, and
before the party left Carlisle it was known that Lord George was
suspected."
"You can't trust those fellows any way," said Mr. Bunfit.
"Well--what happens next? Lord George, he goes to Benjamin, but he isn't
goin' to take the diamonds with him. He has had words with Benjamin or he
has not. Any ways he isn't goin' to take the necklace with him on that
morning. He hasn't been goin' to keep the diamonds about him, not since
what was up at Carlisle. So he gives the diamonds back to the lady."
"And she had 'em all along?"
"I don't say it was so, but I can see my way upon that hypothesis."
"There was something as she had to conceal, Gager. I've said that all
through. I knew it in a moment when I seed her 'aint."
"She's had a deal to conceal, I don't doubt. Well, there they are--with
her still--and the box is gone, and the people as is bringing the lawsuit,
Mr.
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