Your double is, I presume, well supplied with an alibi
and evidences of respectability?"
Rodwell nodded shortly.
"It's his own car and he's an automobile agent," he replied. "He'd been in
the next shop. The people there will be able to swear to him--he gave them
plenty of trouble on purpose."
"And you," Mr. Bundercombe murmured, "have the necklace?"
"I have!" Rodwell snapped. "What about it? I've got to divide with the
girl here. How much do you want?"
"Only the necklace!" Mr. Bundercombe replied.
Mr. Rodwell's geographical description of where he would see Mr.
Bundercombe first is too lurid for print. Mr. Bundercombe, however, only
shook his head, with a gentle smile upon his lips.
"If you're not a cop and you won't stand in, what in the name of glory are
you?" Rodweil spluttered at last.
"I am afraid I must describe myself as a meddler," Mr. Bundercombe
confessed; "an intervener. I stand midway between the law and the
criminal. I sympathize wholly with neither. I admire the skill and courage
you have shown to-day, but I also sympathize with the head of that
establishment whom you have relieved of possibly many thousand pounds'
worth of diamonds. I could not--"
Rodwell made his effort, but Mr.
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