With Links of Steel | Page 5

did
you want those particular diamonds? I think you referred to one."
A slight tinge of red appeared in Venner's cheeks when he replied, a
change which by no means escaped Nick's observation.
"I wanted the stones, or then thought I might, for a customer who

contemplated giving me an order for a valuable diamond cross, to be
worn upon the stage. We happen to have in stock no diamonds
perfectly adapted to her requirements, and so I called upon Hafferman
to learn if he could supply me."
"Who is the customer, Mr. Venner?"
"I do not see how her identity can be at all essential to the investigation
of this affair, yet I have no objection to disclosing it," said Venner,
frowning slightly.
"Why demur over it, then?" demanded Nick, bluntly.
"Only because of an aversion to bringing the lady into the case, of
which she, of course, knows nothing," retorted Venner. "I expected the
order from Señora Cervera, the Spanish dancer."
"Ah! Is she not a member of the Mammoth Vaudeville Troupe, which
has been playing here to packed houses for several months?"
"She is, yes."
"I have heard that she makes a great display of diamonds."
"That is true, Mr. Carter. She possesses a magnificent collection of
jewels, and wears them with an abandon against which I frequently
have cautioned her."
"By way of explanation," put in Mr. Garside, with an odd smile,
"Venner might add that he enjoys quite friendly relations with the
Spanish señora."
"I see no occasion, Garside, for comments upon my interest in Sanetta
Cervera," declared Venner, with a frown at his partner. "My relations
with her, Detective Carter, are only those of a friend and a gentleman.
She called here several weeks ago to have some diamonds reset, when I
met her personally, and was deeply impressed with her extraordinary
grace and beauty. I since have shown her some attention."

"Quite natural, I am sure," observed Nick, smiling indifferently. "As
you remarked, however, none of that appears to be material. I
understand, Mr. Venner, that you were absent when Boyden brought
the diamonds here this morning."
"I was," bowed Venner. "I received a note from Señora Cervera this
morning, asking me to call upon her at eleven o'clock at her rooms, and
to bring with me a diamond pendant which we have in stock, and which
I had the pleasure of showing her a few days ago."
"Ah, I see."
"She stated in her note that if I would call upon her at the hour
mentioned, she would decide whether to purchase the pendant, or have
us make the diamond cross for her."
"You complied with her request, Mr. Venner, and went to call upon
her?"
"Certainly."
"Where is she quartered?"
"She rents a furnished house uptown."
"Does she live alone?"
"With her servants only."
"How many?"
"She keeps a butler, a male cook, and two housemaids. Also a girl to
look after her wardrobe and act as her dresser at the theater."
"Evidently Señora Cervera is wealthy," said Nick.
"Well, not exactly wealthy," rejoined Venner. "She is the popular craze
just now, and from her professional work she derives a very large
income which she scatters as if dollars were dead leaves. In a word,

Detective Carter, Señora Cervera is an arrant spendthrift."
"So I have heard," nodded Nick.
"You have?"
"Oh, yes!" laughed the detective. "That appears to surprise you. It will
not, when I tell you that there are very few public characters in New
York of whose general habits I am not tolerably well informed. Of
course, Mr. Venner, you have no doubt of this Spanish dancer's
honesty?" Nick added, bluntly.
Venner flushed deeply, and instantly shook his head.
"Most assuredly not," he cried, with some feeling. "Señora Cervera
dishonest? Impossible!"
"Improbable, Mr. Venner, no doubt; but not impossible."
"It is, sir," declared Venner, positively. "I know her well. Such an idea
is absurd. Drop it at once, Detective Carter. Indeed, sir, if I thought her
name was to be dragged into this affair, or her reputation to be in any
way imperiled, I would quietly suffer the loss of these diamonds, and
cease this investigation at once."
Nick laughed softly, and suppressed the response that, nearly rose to
his lips.
"Don't do it, Mr. Venner," said he, complacently. "My observation was
not intended to cast any reflection upon Señora Cervera. I have no
doubt that she is perfectly honest."
"I should hope not, sir."
"By the way, have you the note she sent to you this morning?"
"Yes. Here it is."
"By mail, or a messenger?"

"A messenger brought it."
"Ah!" murmured Nick, briefly studying the written page. "Plainly a
foreign hand. Very firm and forceful. It indicates a strong and
determined character. I should say that Señora Cervera is a