The Mystery of the Nervous Lion - West Nick. Страница 26

“And why didn’t Doc Dawson take the diamonds from the lion’s cage as soon as it arrived?” Mr. Hitchcock asked Jupe.

“Because he was expecting a gorilla to arrive with more diamonds soon afterwards. Only two shipments were planned. I guess he figured that the first lot were safe where they were, hidden in the cage bar, so he could wait till the second lot came and then clear out with a million dollars’ worth of gems. But the gorilla didn’t come for a long time. Meanwhile, Doc Dawson came down with the flu. While he was sick, Jim Hall threw out the lion’s cage. It got broken up in the scrap yard and the bars misplaced. By the time Doc caught up with it, it was too late.

“It was also too late because by then the authorities were on to the smuggling operation. Stevenson wouldn’t tell us how they learned about it — said he was sorry but he couldn’t divulge his sources. When he and Dobbs got Dawson with the evidence, his confederates in Africa were rounded up.”

The director tapped Bob’s report again. “You surmised that George was being made nervous by the various attempts to get at the bar with the diamonds. Were you correct in that assumption?”

“Yes, sir. At first, I think, George was only restless because he was cooped up in the house at night. But then Stevenson and Dobbs started prowling around, which upset George.”

“I still do not understand,” rumbled Alfred Hitchcock, “why Doc Dawson, a respectable veterinarian, would become a diamond smuggler.”

“That’s easy,” offered Pete. “He was a smuggler before he came to Jungle Land. He’d been through Africa and pulled various small jobs there years before. When he found out about Cal and Jim Hall’s operation, it seemed perfect for his plans. So he joined up with them, using his skill with animals to get by, while he planned the entire diamond operation in Tanzania. He really did love animals, but he also loved the excitement of getting rich quick and dangerously.”

“Not to mention criminally,” added Mr. Hitchcock. “I believe we are well rid of the fellow. He failed in his biggest attempt, the always tempting million-dollar haul. And you boys thwarted him by dint of clever deductions and perseverance. I’m proud of you all. You solved a most perplexing mystery.”

“Mystery is our business!” said Jupiter Jones.