No news had reached Colombo of the loss of the stone when I arrived there, and I had kept my mission a secret from everyone. My first step was to seek an interview with Mr. Jeeheboy, a sedate, dignified Indian gentleman, who received me with the most business-like courtesy; and I at once began to study him, but saw nothing in his manner or style that suggested in the slightest degree the likelihood of his being a party to the theft. After a few preliminary remarks, I said:
“You have recently sold a very fine specimen of a cat’s-eye to Lord Middlewick, I understand?”
“I have,” he answered; “and I believe it to be one of the finest stones of its kind the world has ever produced.”
“You saw it packed, and delivered into the safe keeping of his lordship’s agent, did you not?”
“Undoubtedly I
