“Diamonds,” I said to myself.

“And now,” continued Chichester, “give me the lists.”

For a long time their conversation was quite incomprehensible to me. It seemed to deal with large quantities of vegetables. Dates were mentioned, prices, and various names of places which I did not know. It was quite half an hour before they had finished their checking and counting.

“Good,” said Chichester, and there was a sound as though he pushed back his chair. “I will take these with me for the Colonel to see.”

“When do you leave?”

“Ten o’clock tomorrow morning will do.”

“Do you want to see the girl before you go?”

“No. There are strict orders that no one is to see her until the colonel comes. Is she all right?”