CHAPTER VIII.
SOME CONJECTURES Mr.Gustave Schultze dropped in to see Mr.Latham after luncheon, and listened with puckered brows to a recital of the substance of the detective's preliminary report, made the afternoon before.
"Mr.Birnes left here rather abruptly," Mr.Latham explained in conclusion, "saying he would see me again, either last night or to-day.

He has not appeared yet, and it may be that when he comes he will be able to add materially to what we now know." The huge German sat for a time with vacant eyes.
"Der gread question, Laadham," he observed at last, gravely, "iss vere does Vynne ged dem." "I know that--I know it," said Mr.Latham impatiently.

"That is the very question we are trying to solve." "Und if we don'd solve him, Laadham, ve'll haf to do vatever as he says," Mr.Schultze continued slowly.

"Und ve _may_ haf to do vatever as he says, anywhow." "Put one hundred million dollars into diamonds in one year--just the five of us ?" demanded the other.

"It's preposterous." "Id _iss_ brebosterous," the German agreed readily; "but das iss no argument." He was silent for a little while.