Goldmark's eating house--no!--the whole affair's a highly complicated
one. That's my view of it."
"And mine," said Ayscough. He looked at the unbelieving official, and
turned away from him to glance out of the window into the street. "May I
never!" he suddenly exclaimed. "There's young Lauriston coming here, and
Purdie with him--and a fellow who looks like an American. I should say
Lauriston's got proof about his title to those rings--anyway, he seems to
have no fear about showing himself here--case of walking straight into the
lions' den, eh?"
"Bring 'em all in!" ordered the superior official, a little surlily.
"Let's hear what it's all about!"
Purdie presently appeared in Ayscough's rear, preceding his two
companions. He and the detective from New Scotland Yard exchanged nods;
they had seen a good deal of each other the previous day. He nodded also
to the superior official--but the superior official looked at Lauriston.
"Got that proof about those rings?" he enquired. "Of course, if you
have--"
"Before Mr. Lauriston says anything about that," interrupted Purdie, "I
want you to hear a story which this gentleman, Mr.
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