Cullen, I think his name is--has fairly got his
knife into them."
"And now," I remarked, smiling, "you are perhaps coming to the object of
your visit to me?"
"Exactly!" Mr. Samuelson admitted. "The fact of it is that in the course
of conversation your name was mentioned. I forget exactly how it cropped
up, but it did crop up. Mr. Parker, it seems, has the privilege of your
acquaintance--at any rate he claims it. Now if his claim is a just one,
and if you can tell me Mr. Parker is a friend of yours--why, that ends the
matter, so far as I am concerned. I am not going to have my guests worried
and annoyed by detectives for the sake of a handful of jewels. I thank
goodness I can afford to lose them, if they must be lost, and I can
replace them this afternoon without feeling it. Now you know where we are,
Mr. Walmsley. You understand exactly why I have come to see you, eh?"
I pressed another cigarette upon him and lit one myself.
"I do understand, Mr. Samuelson," I told him, "and I appreciate your visit
very much indeed. I am exceedingly glad you came. Mr. Parker told you the
truth. He is a gentleman for whom I have the utmost respect and esteem. I
consider his daughter, too, one of the most charming young ladies I have
ever met.
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