"I had an impulse to wear the genuine pearls that night. I got them
out of the safe deposit vault in the afternoon. When I saw the real
and the artificial together I was afraid of making a mistake, so I made
a little scratch on the clasp of the real strand. I wear them in the
first act. I have to leave them off in the second act, when I appear
in a nurse's uniform, also in the third when I am supposed to be ill.
In the fourth act I wear them again.
"On the night in question I wore the real pearls in the first act. I
am sure of that, because they were glowing wonderfully when I took them
off--as if there was a tiny fire in each stone. I put them in the
pocket of the nurse's uniform and carried them on the stage with me
during the second act. In the third act I was obliged to leave them in
my dressing-room, because in this act I am shown in bed. But I thought
they would be safe in the pocket of the dress I took off."
"The instant I returned to my dressing-room, I got them out and put
them on, suspecting nothing wrong. It was not until after the final
curtain that upon taking them off, I was struck by their dullness. I
looked for my little mark on the clasp. It was not there. I found I
had two strings of artificial pearls."
I asked her the obvious questions. "Did you have any special reason
for wearing the genuine pearls that night?"
"None, except that I loved them. I loved to handle them. They were so
alive! I was afraid they might lose their life if I never wore them."
Somehow, I was not fully satisfied with this answer. But for the
present I let it go.
"Was any one with you when you got them out of the safety deposit box?"
I asked.
"I was quite alone."
"Did any one know you were wearing them that night?"
"No one."
"Were there any strangers on the stage?"
"No. My manager at my request is very particular as to that. I have
been so annoyed by well-meaning people. No one is admitted. In this
production the working force behind is small. I can give you the name
of every person who was on the stage that night."
"Has any one connected with the company left since then?"
"No."
"Who has the entrée to your dressing-room while you are on the stage?"
"Only my maid. But she is not expected to remain there every moment.
Indeed, on the night in question I remember seeing her watching the
scene from the first entrance."
"During which time your room was unlocked?"
"Very likely. But the door to it was immediately behind her."
"Have you any reason to suspect her?"
"None whatever. She's been with me four years. Still, I do not except
her from your investigation."
"Does she know of your loss?"
"No one in the world knows of it but you and I."
"And the thief," I added.
She winced. I was unable to ascribe a reason for it.
"Do you care to tell me why you waited six weeks before deciding to
look for the thief?" I asked as gently as possible.
"My jeweller--who is also an old friend, has secured three more blue
pearls," she answered quickly. "He has asked me for the necklace, so
that he can add them to it. I cannot put him off much longer without
confessing that I have lost it."
"But shouldn't we tell him that it has been stolen?" I asked surprised.
She energetically shook her head.
"But jewellers have an organisation for the recovery of stolen jewels,"
I persisted. "The only way we can prevent the thief from realising on
the pearls is by having the loss published throughout the trade."
"I can't consent to that," she said with painfully compressed lips. "I
want you to make your investigation first."
"Do you mind telling me who is your jeweller?"
"Mr. Alfred Mount."
"If you could only tell me why he must not be told," I insinuated.
She still shook her head. "A woman's reason," she murmured, avoiding
my glance.
"You know, of course, how you increase my difficulties by withholding
part of your confidence."
There was a little tremble in her lovely throat. "Don't make me sorry
I asked you to help me," she said.