He opened it and Sprouse slid into the room. The instant
the door closed behind him, he threw open his coat and coolly produced
a long, shallow metal box, such as one finds in safety vaults.
"With my compliments," he said drily, thrusting the box into Barnes's
hands. "You'd better have the Countess check them up and see if
they're all there. I am not well enough acquainted with the collection
to be positive."
Barnes was speechless. He could only stare, open-mouthed, at this
amazing man.
"Grip 'em tight," went on Sprouse, grinning. "I may relieve you of
them if you get too careless. My advice to you is to hide them and
keep your lips closed--"
"My God, Sprouse, have you been in that man's room since I saw you
down--"
"I forgot to say that no questions were to be asked," broke in the
other.
"But I insist upon having everything cleared up. Here am I with a box
of jewels stolen from a lodger's room, God knows how, and in danger of
being slapped into jail if they catch me with the--"
"All you have to do is to keep quiet and look innocent. Stay out of
the hall to-night. Don't go near the door of No. 30. Act like a man
with brains. I said I would square myself with you and with him, too.
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