The Blood Diamond Read Online Free PDF

the new speaker system which works perfectly, and greeted him as he would anyone else.’
    â€˜As instructed,’ said Lorna, dryly.
    â€˜Yes. I’m glad he did. I think Larraby might have had a sharp knock if he’d met with the usual rebuff. You see how sentimental I’m getting! Carmichael thought that Larraby was genuinely interested in the stone – its history and so on.’
    â€˜Not to mention its value.’
    â€˜He did ask its value, yes. Oh, I know it might not be all it appeared to be on the surface, our beggar may be a sinister villain, but I doubt it. I had a chat with him myself.’
    â€˜Did he tell you about his past? Or did you recognise him?’
    I didn’t know him from Adam,’ said Mannering. ‘He volunteered the information first to Carmichael then to me. We discussed jools, my love. The man has a fever for them.’
    Lorna didn’t speak.
    â€˜But he’s been so stung by his fever that I fancy he’ll keep his own temperature down,’ said Mannering. ‘After all, if a man really goes for sparklers and sees the Adalgo in a shop window, you can’t expect him to ignore it.’
    â€˜No. You wouldn’t suspect him of being a spy, sent to find out if it’s genuine and to weigh up the chances of breaking in, would you?’
    â€˜With my innocence? No!’
    â€˜Seriously—’
    â€˜The jewel fascinated him, that’s all. He has a one track mind. That’s what you saw in him, what you want to put on canvas. It had struck me, but I daren’t wish a jail-bird on you.’
    â€˜Ought I to let him come?’
    â€˜I don’t see why not. Judy will be in all the time. If you’d feel happier, I’ll send young Simon round to keep an eye on things while he’s sitting.’
    â€˜I’ll paint him,’ Lorna decided. ‘Two or three days should be enough. I can finish it after he’s gone.’
    â€˜And he’ll be glad of the sitting fee, I fancy,’ said Mannering. ‘He’s not a man who takes charity easily, in spite of his boxes of matches. Part of what you saw in his face was pride.’
    â€˜I suppose so. But—’
    Mannering laughed. ‘I know, I know! Would a man who was really proud come to Quinn’s with a tray in his hands and “beggar” written all over him? Would he push past a policeman to enter the shop, just for the sake of inquiring about a jewel which he couldn’t hope to buy if he lived to be a hundred? I still think it was a chance visit, and the Adalgo fascinated him.’
    After a long pause, Lorna said: ‘I wish you’d sell that diamond.’
    â€˜Gem fatale?
    â€˜All right, laugh at me, but—’
    â€˜If it’s burglary you’re worried about, you can rest happy. Quinn’s has all the latest burglar-proof contraptions. Carmichael’s vastly intrigued by the listening-in system. It isn’t bad, either, although I thought of it myself.’
    â€˜I don’t see how it helps to scare off thieves.’
    â€˜Take an example. Carmichael saw Larraby outside, and heard the policeman speak to him. Both voices sounded at the back of the shop. The microphone picks up whispers. Supposing a pair of toughs came along to smash and grab. Supposing, as is likely, they gave each other last minute instructions. Carmichael would be able to call the police before the job had started. It has commercial possibilities, too. People come and stare, and talk outside. Carmichael knows in advance whether they’re likely to buy. Not bad?’
    â€˜Oh, you’re full of bright ideas.’
    Â 
    They finished the sweet.
    â€˜John.’
    â€˜Hmm-hmm?’
    â€˜I’ve been foul to you, lately.’
    â€˜Forgotten.’
    â€˜I know you don’t let it rankle, but—’
    â€˜I don’t even remember it.’
    â€˜It isn’t the only thing you forget to talk