“That explains why the Mill House was chosen. Pagett could probably get in and out of it unobserved. Of course he made no objection to my accompanying Sir Eustace across in the boat. He didn’t want me laid by the heels immediately. You see, evidently Nadina didn’t bring the jewels with her to the rendezvous as they had counted on her doing. I fancy that Carton really had them and concealed them somewhere on the Kilmorden Castle ⁠—that’s where he came in. They hoped that I might have some clue as to where they were hidden. As long as the Colonel did not recover the diamonds, he was still in danger⁠—hence his anxiety to get them at all costs. Where the devil Carton hid them⁠—if he did hide them, I don’t know.”

“That’s another story,” I quoted. “ My story. And I’m going to tell it you now.”