Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-70.djvu/562

554 within a quarter of an hour he was with our friend the manager of the inquiry office.

"Have you anything for me?" he asked.

In response he received a legal envelope, quite bulky, which he thrust into his pocket.

"I believe all the data you asked for are there, Mr. Dysart," said the head of the concern, "and we have tabulated them in what seemed to us the order of their importance relative to your inquiry."

"Thanks," said Richard, and regained his cab.

Once within its shelter he lost no time in examining the contents of the envelope. These consisted of a series of foolscap sheets, fastened together with a brass clip at the corner, each sheet bearing at the top the name of some man more or less well known in the city or the diamond trade, with certain biographical remarks appended.

And the first sheet bore the name of Rossiter Kane!

Richard replaced the envelope in his pocket and sat staring ahead at the crowded mass of vehicles in Fleet Street with a puzzled frown on his face.

minutes after leaving Richard, as Kane was striding along Cornhill, he was overtaken by a shambling, breathless figure in rusty black, and to the whispered appeal,—

"Bister Kane, sir,—just a minute, sir!" he turned his head and saw the cringing form of old Plish at his side, ducking and bowing with abject servility.

"Well, Moses, what is it?" inquired Kane, in a business-like tone, stopping short, and drawing to one side out of the way of the hurrying throng.

With an eye to the main chance, and realizing that it would be good policy to keep on the right side of the ledger with so rich a man as Kane, Plish had instantly decided to let him know that Dysart had asked certain pertinent or impertinent questions at Ladysmith, and thus forestall any possible evil consequences to himself from his wagging tongue.

"Excuse me for troubling you, Bister Kane, but ven I see you alonger 'tother vun," pointing a dirty thumb over his shoulder, "I ses to myself, ses I, 'Bister Kane might like to know that 'tother gent was makin' inkquiries about 'im. "When was this, Moses?" asked Kane, coolly snipping the end off a cigar.

"Out yonder, a matter o' six months ago. It was jest arter he'd made that there strike o' his'n in the Karroo country."

"Just so," said Kane. "But you see, Moses, Mr. Dysart and I have become very good friends, and any information he is likely to