he cried furiously to Mr. Lane. "You are foolish. You
still believe in the man and trust him. Me, I do not, I tell you
plainly he is a thief. He is to-day perhaps in Amsterdam, cutting that
noble and splendid stone into many smaller ones, and each of them
still a fortune. Yes, he is a thief!"

"You liar!" roared Jack. "My father is not a thief. How dare you take
such words on your dirty lips in respect of such a man!"

He had bounded to his feet and clenched his fists. Mr. Lane sprang
between them.

"Now, Mr. Haydon," said the elder man, "you must keep the peace.
Baumann is speaking very wildly. I do not agree with him. I know your
father too well."

Respect for Mr. Lane held Jack back, and nothing else. He would dearly
have liked to plant his fist on the German's foaming mouth, but he
commanded himself with an immense effort, and tried to speak calmly.

"The man is mad to say such things," said Jack with trembling lips.
"Why, the whole facts of the case are against any such monstrous idea.
If my father had wished to steal the stone, would he have cabled to
you full particulars and started home? What would have been easier
than to pocket it at once, and say nothing?"

"He was not a thief at first," vociferated the German. "He was honest
when he cabled. But the jewel, the great, big, beautiful jewel itself
corrupted him. He looked at it, and looked at it, till the love of it
filled his heart and he could not part with it. _Himmel_, I have felt
it all. I know what happened as well as if I had been at his side all
the voyage."

"Look here, you foul slanderer," cried Jack. "I'll prove you a liar
out and out. Listen to me. I'll find my father if he still remains in
existence, and I'll prove that you wrong him by your unjust
suspicions." The lad turned to Mr. Lane with flushed face and shining
eyes. "I thank you, sir," he said, "for the trust you still retain in
my father. I will do my very utmost to prove to you that it was well
placed. I cannot promise you anything save that I will do all that
lies in my power to trace your great ruby and discover my father's
fate at the same time."

Jack could say no more. He held out his hand and Mr. Lane shook it,
and the tall English lad strode from the office.

CHAPTER IV.

BUCK SEES LIGHT.

Jack walked rapidly through the city, and, free from the presence of
Baumann and his vile insinuations, began to cool rapidly and survey
the situation with a steadier eye.