The other gave an impatient snort. “Insured! What is insurance to me? Do you think that I⁠—Gertstein⁠—want the money? That⁠—poof⁠—a fleabite. The insurance companies will pay, but will that help me to get back all my beautiful things? Years and years of work gone like dat.” He snapped his fingers viciously.

“We’ll do our best,” said Labar, mildly. “Perhaps you will walk round with me and tell me all you know.”

In his mind he felt small hope. The very magnitude of the crime showed it to be the work of men who thoroughly understood their business. Jewels would be dismounted and cut up, gold melted down, and other things rendered unrecognisable in the swiftest and most efficient fashion.