_June 25th._
To-day as I came out of the work-people's entrance to Dunsany's at noon
Jumbo passed by on the sidewalk. He tipped me a scarcely perceptible
wink, and kept on, as I was with my fellow-workmen. I suppose that he
wished to catch me in the act, so to speak. In other words he wants to
have it understood between us that he knows I work there. It is a step
towards more confidential communications.
We met as usual to-night at the Turtle Bay Café, but something had
happened in the meantime, because Jumbo was glum and sour. I made
believe not to notice it. After he had a drink or two he volunteered
the reason.
"A fellow broke into my rooms to-day, a sneak thief," he said.
"No! What did you do to him?" said I.
"Oh, I half killed him and let him go. He didn't get anything."
This was obviously no explanation of his worried air. I continued to
question him about the affair with a friend's natural curiosity, but he
suddenly became suspicious, so I let it drop. I do not know if this
has anything to do with your other activities, but I give it for what
it's worth.
Later in the evening when Jumbo's good-humour was somewhat restored, he
referred to our noon meeting in a facetious way.
"Thought you said you were out of a job," he said.
I made believe to be somewhat confused. "Ahh, I wasn't going to tell
everything I knew to a stranger," I said.
He made haste to commend me. He affected a certain admiration of my
astuteness. "You're a deep one, English! I bet you could teach me a
trick or two!"
Have I mentioned that "English" is becoming my monaker?
By this time it is thoroughly understood between Jumbo and I that we
are both "good sports," i.e., dependably crooked. It saves a lot of
bluffing on both sides.
Jumbo asked me what my job was at Dunsany's. I explained how I handled
all the stuff that was sent in to be reset, my particular job being to
remove the jewels from their old settings before handing them on to the
expert craftsmen.
"What a chance!" said Jumbo wistfully. "But I suppose they have you
watched."
"Oh, yes," I said, and I went on to explain all the precautions against
theft and loss, "but, of course----" Here I made believe to be
overtaken by caution.
Jumbo's little eyes glistened. "Of course what?" he demanded.
I tried to turn the subject which only increased his eagerness. He
kept after me.
"If a man knew the trick of making paste diamonds," I suggested, "and
could substitute one occasionally----! Of course he'd have to make
them himself. It wouldn't be safe to buy them."
Jumbo whistled softly. "Can you make them?" he asked.