Jacques Futrelle

The Diamond Master Jacques Futrelle

The largest importer of precious stones in America, Gustave Schultze, sent Mr. Latham a parcel in the mail that was addressed to him. There were thirty to forty letters inside a basic, cigarette-box-sized bundle that was wrapped in yellow paper. At half past seven the night before, the item was mailed at the Madison Square substation. The following morning's mail brought nothing, and Mr. Latham frantically searched through his afternoon mail in the same manner. Red Haney's diamond case and the jewels, which were widely publicized in Sunday morning newspapers, instantly sparked a circular parade as Haney, the goal center, slept off sweetly in a drunken stupor. When Mulberry Street's cops are confronted with an issue other than a common, minor theft, burglary, or murder, as the case may be, they frequently get up and circle about. The little thread of life inside Doris nearly broke as she gazed down in vast, dry-eyed terror at the body of this aged, shriveled man whom she had loved. He suddenly kissed both of her outstretched hands after she extended them. The excruciating fear that had driven her here was temporarily ignored in favor of the indescribable delight of seeing him once more.