Thick As Thieves Read Online Free Page B

my circumstances hinted at one. The dread question as to why I had not made my bows arose, to be shuffled aside by a mendacious mention of my lack of interest in society. While we talked, his eyes darted from time to time to the emerald ring, resting on the sofa table.
    "That emerald ring looks familiar," he said, frowning as if trying to remember. "Now, where have I seen it before?" Hennie handed it to him, to aid his memory. "Ah! I have it now! It belonged to Lady Dormere."
    Hennie nodded. "That satinwood commode belonged to Lord Hutching. Eve bought it from the antique shop next door to Parker's place. That is how she came to know about Parker."
    "Really?" He glanced at the commode, and at a dark old portrait above it, purchased at the same time for its nice gilt frame. Then he looked back at the ring. "I seem to remember some story about this ring," he said, frowning again. "I think—yes, by God, I have it now. This was stolen by Tom, the famous burglar who is lifting all the ladies' jewels."
    "You never mean it!" I gasped. Although the name Tom has not occurred formerly in this tale, it was a name frequently read in the journals that year. England was rife with thieves. A highwayman by the name of Black Bart was also on the prowl.
    It was for the vicar's widow to suggest doing the right thing. "You must give it back to her, Eve," she exclaimed.
    "And who will give me back my diamond, that Parker pried out of my ring?" I demanded.
    "That is not Lady Dormere's fault," she pointed out.
    "It is not my fault either," I said sharply. "I don't know what the world is coming to. People snatching what does not belong to them. Tom, the burglar, has been terrorizing society for over a year now, and never a move to stop him."
    "You are mistaken there, Miss Denver," Dalton said. "I have been Tom's victim, but I am doing something to try to stop him. In fact, that was why I was loitering outside of Parker's place this afternoon. A friend of mine bought a brooch from Parker, then learned it was part of Tom's loot. I have been keeping a watch on the place. If the same fellow went in frequently, then it would suggest he was trafficking in stolen goods. Perhaps you wondered at my sudden departure, just when events had reached such an interesting pitch," he said, smiling. "I did not wish Parker to see me."
    "Have you had any luck in catching Tom?" Hennie asked him.
    "No, I followed up on one or two fellows who were selling stolen goods to Parker, but they were associated with Stop Hole Abbey. I fancy Tom sells his goods at more than one place."
    "What is StopHole Abbey?" she asked.
    "It is a sort of clearing ground for stolen goods. The thieves take their wares there. They are sold for a small fraction of their value to fences, who frequently break the jewelry up and sell the stones. We have not traced Tom to Stop Hole Abbey, however. He works strictly alone. When his goods appear, they are still in one piece, like this emerald ring, and the diamond brooch my friend bought."
    "The best way to catch a mouse is to set a trap," I said. "Why wait at the hole, when you suspect Tom has more than one hole? Bait some rich lady's house with diamonds, set the word about that she has gone on holiday, and he will soon show up."
    "But where to find this obliging lady?" Dalton asked. "And now, of course, the Season is over. Tom will remove his business to Brighton, where he began his illustrious career last summer. I shall be going there myself."
    I tried to hide my disappointment. "When will you leave, Mr. Dalton?" I inquired, with no more than civil interest.
    "Tomorrow. I have to take my leave of a few people this evening. I really should be getting on with it," he said. Yet he seemed in no hurry to stand up and go. Indeed, unless I am imagining things, there was a sad smile in his eyes at the thought of leaving.
    Here was the very sort of parti I hoped to find. With my usual luck, he was slipping away the very day I met him. One of Hennie's