"We've many records of sales to Mrs. Pell," he related, "and, if you desire, I can give you a memorandum of them. Presumably, she had receipts in every case, but as I do not know the particular receipt you want, I can't offer you any data concerning it."
"What are the transactions?" asked Iris. "Jewels she bought?"
"Yes; and setting, and engraving. Mrs. Pell had a great deal of engraving done."
"On silver or gold trinkets and ornaments."
"Oh, yes, I know. All her silver has not only initials, but names and dates, and sometimes quotations or lines of poetry."
"Yes, and she was most particular about that work. It was always done by our best engraver, and unless it just suited her we were treated to her finest sarcasm. Mrs. Pell was a wealthy and extravagant patron, but not affable or easy to please."
"I know that, but she was a remarkable woman and a strong character often has peculiar ways. I am heir to half her fortune, and that gives me a sense of obligation that will never be canceled until I have avenged my aunt's death."
Iris did not tell this man about the missing jewels, for it seemed of no use. But they discussed at length the jewels that he knew that Mrs. Pell had possessed, and Iris was amazed at the size and value of the amount.
"Really!" she exclaimed. "Do you _know_ that my aunt had such an enormous fortune as that, in gems?"
"I know that she had at the time of her dealings with us. That was ten years ago, or so, but then we had the handling of more than a million dollars' worth, and I know she added to her store after that."
"Oh, where are they?" cried Iris forgetting her determination not to discuss this matter here.
"Do you mean to say you don't know?" exclaimed Mr. Reed, astounded.
"What an extraordinary tale," he commented as she finished. "I wish I could help you out, I'm sure. Now, no receipt of ours would be of importance in and of itself. It must have had a memorandum scribbled on it, or something of that sort."
"Yes," agreed Iris, thoughtfully, "that must be it. In that case the murderer wanted it because it told where the jewels are hidden."
"And he has already secured them! Oh, no!"
Mr. Reed's interest was so sincere that Iris told him a little more. She told him of the pin, and of her being kidnapped in an attempt to get it.