“At first Mr. Vassall made some demur about sending Mr. Schwarz with so many valuable jewels alone in a city which he had not yet had the time to study thoroughly; but finally he allowed himself to be persuaded by his senior partner, and a fine selection of necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and rings, amounting in value to over L16,000, having been made, it was decided that Mr. Schwarz should go to the North-Western in a cab the next day at about three o’clock in the afternoon.  This he accordingly did, the following day being a Thursday.

“Business went on in the shop as usual under the direction of the head assistant, until about seven o’clock, when Mr. Winslow returned from his club, where he usually spent an hour over the papers every afternoon, and at once asked for his nephew.  To his astonishment Mr. Needham informed him that Mr. Schwarz had not yet returned.  This seemed a little strange, and Mr. Winslow, with a slightly anxious look in his face, went into the inner office in order to consult his junior partner.  Mr. Vassall offered to go round to the hotel and interview Mr. Pettitt.

“‘I was beginning to get anxious myself,’ he said, ’but did not quite like to say so.  I have been in over half an hour, hoping every moment that you would come in, and that perhaps you could give me some reassuring news.  I thought that perhaps you had met Mr. Schwarz, and were coming back together.’

“However, Mr. Vassall walked round to the hotel and interviewed the hall porter.  The latter perfectly well remembered Mr. Schwarz sending in his card to Prince Semionicz.

“‘At what time was that?’ asked Mr. Vassall.

“’About ten minutes past three, sir, when he came; it was about an hour later when he left.’

“‘When he left?’ gasped, more than said, Mr. Vassall.

“‘Yes, sir.  Mr. Schwarz left here about a quarter before four, sir.’

“‘Are you quite sure?’

“’Quite sure.  Mr. Pettitt was in the hall when he left, and he asked him something about business.  Mr. Schwarz laughed and said, “not bad.”  I hope there’s nothing wrong, sir,’ added the man.

“‘Oh—­er—­nothing—­thank you.  Can I see Mr. Pettitt?’

“‘Certainly, sir.’

“Mr. Pettitt, the manager of the hotel, shared Mr. Vassall’s anxiety, immediately he heard that the young German had not yet returned home.

“’I spoke to him a little before four o’clock.  We had just switched on the electric light, which we always do these winter months at that hour.  But I shouldn’t worry myself, Mr. Vassall; the young man may have seen to some business on his way home.  You’ll probably find him in when you go back.’

“Apparently somewhat reassured, Mr. Vassall thanked Mr. Pettitt and hurried back to the shop, only to find that Mr. Schwarz had not returned, though it was now close on eight o’clock.

“Mr. Winslow looked so haggard and upset that it would have been cruel to heap reproaches upon his other troubles or to utter so much as the faintest suspicion that young Schwarz’s permanent disappearance with L16,000 in jewels and money was within the bounds of probability.