“Monsieur Ranaud,” stated Barth, “has completed a purchase of very valuable uncut diamonds. He is leaving for France in a few days, aboard the Steamship Burgundy. The stones will be placed aboard that vessel at midnight.”
“Where are the gems right now?” inquired Cardona.
“Here,” replied Earth, “in Monsieur Ranaud’s possession. He values them in excess of one million dollars.”
“And he’s got them here!” exclaimed Joe.
“Yes,” said Barth, with a serious nod. “Locked in the drawer of that table.”
“Let me explain, M’sieu,” interjected Ranaud, with a motion of his hands. “You have not tol’ our frien’ the inspector what I have tol’ you, M’sieu Barth. It was not because I wish that I bring those jewel here. Non, M’sieu.
“I have bought them from a syndicate” — Ranaud turned to Cardona — “an’ I ask that they keep them in the safe, until to-morrow. But they say: ‘Non, M’sieu. Those diamon’, they are too valuable. You mus’ take them to the bank.
“But it was late, M’sieu. So I say: ‘Poof! No one can know if I have the diamon’ with me. It was good that I should take them.’ So I bring the diamon’ here. Then I arrange that the armor truck shall come to get them for the boat. Comprenez-vous, M’sieu?”
“I get you,” returned Cardona. “But why haven’t you sent the diamonds down to the steamship already?”
“I mus’ tell you, M’sieu,” returned Ranaud before Barth could make a response. “I call to the steamship from here. They say: ‘Non. We can not take les bijoux — those jewel — until Monsieur le captaine, he is aboard. That will not be until after midnight, so I see that I mus’ wait. I am much worry, also, about the armor truck.
“So I say what shall I do? Then I pretend that I am in France; in Paree. I know what I mus’ do. I call M’sieu le Prefect; he will be my good frien’. Here, you call him the commissioner. So that is what I do. I call M’sieu le Commissionaire” — he indicated Barth — “an’ I say that I must talk to him about one million dollar. That is all I say. So he come here.”
CARDONA grinned in spite of himself. He could picture Wainwright Barth speeding in response to Ranaud’s cryptic request. Barth, finding opportunity to speak, put in his added explanation.
“Monsieur Ranaud was not at all specific,” he declared. “From his conversation, I knew there had been no crime. So I came here to learn what was at stake. Mr. Agland had arrived only a few minutes before me.
“I saw at once that the diamonds should be guarded. So I sent for you and Markham. In the meantime, while you were on the way here, Cardona, I called the Gotham Transportation Company. They will have an armored truck here at midnight.
“I see no occasion for a squad. That would only attract attention. Having no engagement for this evening, I shall remain here with you and Markham. Mr. Agland has decided to remain also. He is a friend for whom Monsieur Ranaud has vouched.”
Cardona nodded. He looked toward the table. Seeing his action, Ranaud lumbered to his feet and produced a key. The Frenchman unlocked the drawer, brought out a small leather bag and opened it.
Cardona could see the uncut stones within. Ranaud smiled and placed the little bag upon the table.
“Who else knows about these diamonds?” questioned Joe, turning to the commissioner.
“No one,” replied Barth. “Except the offices of the International Mining Syndicate.”
“No word went out from here?” inquired the detective. “No telephone calls?”
“None,” responded Barth.
“I made a call,” remarked Monte. “Before you arrived, commissioner. But it did not concern the diamonds. You see, I just happened to drop in to see Ranaud. When he told me that he had the equivalent of a million dollars, entirely unprotected, I thought it best to remain in case he needed me.
“So I called my apartment at the Castellan, to tell my valet that I did not expect to be in. I remained here; and a few minutes later you arrived, commissioner.”
“Very good,” decided Barth.
“We’d better talk to the house dick,” suggested Cardona. “Put him wise to the situation. He’s probably down in the lobby.”
“Very well,” agreed Barth.
“Where is the telephone?” asked Joe.
“Through there,” replied Monte, pointing to a door.
Cardona went into a little hallway. He noticed three doors. One was open. Cardona saw that it was a bedroom, with a telephone on the table. He called the lobby, inquired for the house detective and ordered the man up to 1228, the number of Ranaud’s suite.
JOE recognized the dick when he arrived. The fellow’s name was Lennis and he was an experienced man at hotel work. Briefly, Cardona explained the situation. Lennis started back for the lobby, after promising to keep watch on all who entered.
Just as the detective’s elevator reached the lobby, the door of another car clanged. Thus Lennis failed to glimpse a face that he might possibly have recognized. Ruke Perrin, missing racketeer, had gone aboard that car.
At the desk, Lennis inquired concerning new guests. There had been an influx during the past half hour.
Some twenty persons had registered. Three had been placed on the twelfth floor. The clerk recalled that one man had specifically wanted a room on the twelfth. But he did not remember which of the three it was; and he had noted nothing suspicious about any of the three.
Lennis studied names on the registration cards. He decided that nothing was wrong. Taking a position where he could view the revolving doors on two separate streets, the house dick waited and assumed a wise expression.
MEANWHILE, Ruke Perrin had reached the door of Room 1216. He rapped softly. The door came ajar. The racketeer thrust his hand into the opening and displayed a Chinese disk. The door opened; Ruke stepped into a dim room and closed the door behind him. He stood face to face with Diamond Bert.
“Quick work,” commended the crook. “Looks like we’re all set. But let’s get it straight before we start. Monte called you right after he got here. Is that right?”
Ruke nodded.
“Then I happened to call you to say that I’d ducked The Shadow. He got the guy that was with me. Never mind who. Down at the hideout. You told me Monte was here and that Ranaud had the sparklers.”
“Right,” agreed Ruke, “and the next thing I hear is when you called me to say you were in Room 1216 at this hotel. Say, Bert — you work swift.”
“I was over by Grand Central,” chuckled Bert. “Checked one bag there and took another out. I’ve got other bags planted places, too. Didn’t have time to bother with a disguise. All my make-up is in other bags. Just wanted a big suitcase to check in here with.
“But here’s the lay” — the crook blinked, then became harsh — “and it’s a tough one. As soon as I’d checked in, who showed up but Joe Cardona and Markham. I spotted them through the transom. I heard what they said, too. Commissioner Barth is in there. He was the fellow that sent for them.”
“Three of them, eh?” commented Ruke.
“Four,” replied Bert, “counting Ranaud. But we’ve got Monte. And what’s more, we’ve got a real bet. The house dick came up and then went down again. I guess they wouldn’t be surprised if he came back.”
“That might mean more trouble for us.”
“Not a bit of it. That’s our bet. We’ll tap on the door; they’ll think it’s the house dick, coming up to tell them something. Get the idea? But before we start — what about the mob?”