All that I could now recall, and all that I could
tell Ezra Jennings was, that I had attacked the art of medicine at the
dinner-table with sufficient rashness and sufficient pertinacity to put
even Mr. Candy out of temper for the moment. I also remembered that Lady
Verinder had interfered to stop the dispute, and that the little doctor
and I had "made it up again," as the children say, and had become as
good friends as ever, before we shook hands that night.
"There is one thing more," said Ezra Jennings, "which it is very
important I should know. Had you any reason for feeling any special
anxiety about the Diamond, at this time last year?"
"I had the strongest reasons for feeling anxiety about the Diamond.
I knew it to be the object of a conspiracy; and I was warned to take
measures for Miss Verinder's protection, as the possessor of the stone."
"Was the safety of the Diamond the subject of conversation between you
and any other person, immediately before you retired to rest on the
birthday night?"
"It was the subject of a conversation between Lady Verinder and her
daughter----"
"Which took place in your hearing?"
"Yes.
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