`It is possible, Mr. Blake -- I dare not say more -- that your idea of preserving the Diamond led, by a natural sequence, to the idea of hiding the Diamond, and that the place in which you hid it was somewhere in your bedroom. In that event, the case of the Irish porter may be your case. You may remember, under the influence of the second dose of opium, the place in which you hid the Diamond under the influence of the first.'
It was my turn, now, to enlighten Ezra Jennings. I stopped him, before he could say any more.
`You are speculating,' I said, `on a result which cannot possibly take place. The Diamond is, at this moment, in London.'
He started, and looked at me in great surprise.
`In London?' he repeated. `How did it get to London from Lady Verinder's house?'
`Nobody knows.'
`You removed it with your own hand from Miss Verinder's room. How was it taken out of your keeping?'
`I have no idea how it was taken out of my keeping.'
`Did you see it, when you woke in the morning?'
`No.'
`Has Miss Verinder recovered possession of it?'
`No.'
`Mr. Blake! there seems to be something here which wants clearing up. May I ask how you know that the Diamond is, at this moment, in London?'
I had put precisely the same question to Mr. Bruff, when I made my first inquiries about the Moonstone, on my return to England. In answering Ezra Jennings, I accordingly repeated what I had myself heard from the lawyer's own lips -- and what is already familiar to the readers of these pages.
He showed plainly that he was not satisfied with my reply.
`With all deference to you,' he said, `and with all deference to your legal adviser, I maintain the opinion which I expressed just now. It rests, I am well aware, on a mere assumption. Pardon me for reminding you, that your opinion also rests on a mere assumption as well.'
The view he took of the matter was entirely new to me. I waited anxiously to hear how he would defend it.
`I assume,' pursued Ezra Jennings, `that the influence of the opium -- after impelling you to possess yourself of the Diamond, with the purpose of securing its safety -- might also impel you, acting under the same influence and the same motive, to hide it somewhere in your own room. You assume that the Hindoo conspirators could by no possibility commit a mistake. The Indians went to Mr. Luker's house after the Diamond -- and, therefore, in Mr. Luker's possession the Diamond must be! Have you any evidence to prove that the Moonstone was taken to London at all? You can't even guess how, or by whom, it was removed from Lady Verinder's house! Have you any evidence that the jewel was pledged to Mr. Luker? He declares that he never heard of the Moonstone; and his bankers' receipt acknowledges nothing but the deposit of a valuable of great price. The Indians assume that Mr. Luker is lying -- and you assume again that the Indians are right. All I say, in differing with you, is -- that my view is possible. What more, Mr. Blake, either logically or legally, can be said for yours?'