How he tried his luck again with another lady, and how THAT marriage

also broke down on the question of money, you know already. You

also know of the legacy of five thousand pounds, left to him shortly

afterwards, by one of those many admirers among the soft sex whose good

graces this fascinating man had contrived to win. That legacy (as the

event has proved) led him to his death.

I have ascertained that when he went abroad, on getting his five

thousand pounds, he went to Amsterdam. There he made all the necessary

arrangements for having the Diamond cut into separate stones. He came

back (in disguise), and redeemed the Moonstone, on the appointed day.

A few days were allowed to elapse (as a precaution agreed to by both

parties) before the jewel was actually taken out of the bank. If he had

got safe with it to Amsterdam, there would have been just time between

July 'forty-nine, and February 'fifty (when the young gentleman came of

age) to cut the Diamond, and to make a marketable commodity (polished or

unpolished) of the separate stones. Judge from this, what motives he

had to run the risk which he actually ran. It was "neck or nothing" with

him--if ever it was "neck or nothing" with a man yet.

I have only to remind you, before closing this Report, that there is a

chance of laying hands on the Indians, and of recovering the Moonstone

yet. They are now (there is every reason to believe) on their passage to

Bombay, in an East Indiaman. The ship (barring accidents) will touch

at no other port on her way out; and the authorities at Bombay (already

communicated with by letter, overland) will be prepared to board the

vessel, the moment she enters the harbour.

I have the honour to remain, dear sir, your obedient servant, RICHARD

CUFF (late sergeant in the Detective Force, Scotland Yard, London).* * NOTE.--Wherever the Report touches on the events of the

birthday, or of the three days that followed it, compare

with Betteredge's Narrative, chapters viii. to xiii.




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