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Fletcher, J. S. (Joseph Smith), 1863-1935

"The Orange-Yellow Diamond"

I had a good idea of what Chang Li's procedure would be. He would
hide--if need be, for months, until the first heat of the hue and cry
which he knew would be sure to be raised, would have cooled down. There
are several underground warrens--so to speak--in the East End, in which he
could go to earth, comfortably and safely, until there was a chance of
slipping out of the country unobserved. I know already of some of them. I
would get to know of others.
"Purvis and I got on that track--such as it was, at once. We went along to
the East End there and then--before morning I had shaved off my beard and
mustache, disguised myself in old clothes, and was beginning my work.
First thing next morning I did two things--one was to cause a telegram to
be sent from Spring Street to my butler explaining my probable absence;
the other to secretly warn the Bank of England about the bank-notes. But I
had no expectation that Chang Li would try to negotiate those--all his
energies, I knew, would be concentrated on the diamond. Nevertheless, he
might try--and would, if he tried--succeed--in changing one note, and it
was as well to take that precaution.


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