"What comes next ?" "The flute," cried two voices together, and Ingleborough opened the case, showing the three joints fitting tightly in the velvet-lined compartments.
"A silent musical instrument!" said the General, smiling.
"Can anyone play the overture to the Crown Diamonds ?" said one of the _aides-de-camp_ merrily.
"This is the overture!" said another, and Ingleborough took out two joints in turn, perfectly empty, fitted them together, and then took out the top joint, to put that in its proper position, before raising the instrument to his lips and running up and down the gamut.
"Nothing there," said the General.
But Ingleborough lowered the flute, held it in both hands, and drew it apart at the tuning-slide, held it sidewise, and then unscrewed the top plug, showing an opening, out of which he shook a magnificent gem of great size and perfect make.
"Bravo!" cried the General excitedly.

And then: "I'm afraid, Mr Dealer in mealies and corn, the judgment will go dead against you.

Have you done ?" he continued, turning to Ingleborough.
"Not quite, sir!" replied the latter.

"Come, West, don't let me get all the credit for unmasking the scoundrel." "Look here," cried Anson viciously, "I protest against being called a scoundrel! Those are my private savings, invested in what were bought honestly." "I think, sir, you had better keep your tongue silent until we have quite done!" said the General.
Then, turning to the two young men, he bade them go on.
"Come, West," said Ingleborough, "you suspect where our friend who is no scoundrel has hidden more diamonds, do you not ?" "Well, yes," said West, rather unwillingly, for the whole business disgusted him.
"Speak out, then! I am sure it is in the same place as I think he has more plunder; but you shall have your turn now." "No, no; go on," said West warmly.
"If you suspect that there is some place unsearched," said the General sternly, "speak out, sir." "Then I believe, sir," said West, "that if the water-cask that is slung under the wagon is opened you will find a number of diamonds hidden there!" There was a burst of excitement at this, everyone present speaking save the sergeant, who did a bit of pantomime which meant: "Of course!" for he bent down and gave his leg a sounding slap.
"Yes," said Ingleborough; "that is where I meant." "Why, I thought o' that once," cried the sergeant, "and then I says to myself: `That's too stoopid a place; no one would hide diamonds where they're sure to be found'; but I crept underneath on my hands and knees and gave it a swing so as to make the water wash about inside.

That satisfied me, and I came away." "You have hit the mark, Mr West," said the General, smiling.