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It might have held a small type-writing machine; it might have been a medicine chest; it certainly did not look the sort of thing in which one would carry priceless jewels. But Mademoiselle de Longarde was speaking again. "That's what I always carried my jewels in in their cases," she said.
"Waistcoat-pocket just now," replied Allerdyke laconically. "That'll be an extra passport," observed Fullaway. "Not that it's needed, because, as I said, I've done business for her. Oddly enough, that was in the jewel line I negotiated the sale of Pinkie Pell's famous pearl necklace with Mademoiselle de Longarde. You've heard of that, of course?" "Never a whisper!" answered Allerdyke.
It needed no special intuition on Allerdyke's part to know that all these people were itching to show their fondness for Zélie de Longarde by clapping their hands, waving their program, and otherwise manifesting their delight at once more seeing a prime favourite. All eyes were fixed on the wing of the platform, all hands were ready to give welcome.
These performers were duly announced on the program in terms of varying importance; outstanding from all of them, of course, was the great star of the evening, the one and only Zélie de Longarde, acknowledged Queen of Song in Milan and Moscow, Paris and London, New York and Melbourne. "Comes on fifth, I see," observed Allerdyke, glancing over his program unconcernedly.
You hear, then she will not come to sing because her jewels are missing, eh? She " "What hotel is Mademoiselle de Longarde stopping at, Weiss?" asked Fullaway quietly. "The North British and Caledonian I go there just now!" answered Weiss. "I am ruined if she will not appear ruined, disgraced! Jewels! Ah !" "Come on we're going with you," said Fullaway. "Quick now!"
"I'm ever so much obliged to you, Mr. Allerdyke. Yes, I wired to the hotel, in my proper name, you know Zélie de Longarde is only my professional name. I didn't want to lose that buckle it was part of a birthday present from my mother. But you don't mean to say that you travelled all the way to Edinburgh to hand me that! Surely not?" "No!" replied Allerdyke.
"This is the work of very clever and accomplished thieves who somehow became aware of two facts. One, that your cousin was bringing with him to England the jewels of the Princess Nastirsevitch. The other, that Mademoiselle Zélie de Longarde carried her pearls and diamonds in an innocent-looking rosewood box.
But a minute passed two minutes three minutes and Zélie de Longarde did not appear. Another minute and then, endeavouring to smile bravely and reassuringly, and not succeeding particularly well in the attempt, a tall, elaborately attired, carefully polished-up man, unmistakably German, blonde, heavy, suave, suddenly walked on to the platform and did obeisance to the audience.
The the truth is, Mademoiselle de Longarde is not yet here. What is more I have to tell you the truth Mademoiselle refuses to come refuses to fulfil her honourable engagement. We are have been for some time on the telephone with her. Mademoiselle is at her hotel. She declares she has been robbed her jewels have all been stolen from their case in her apartments.
"That's the first thing." "By no means," replied Fullaway. "That, my dear sir, is neither the first, nor the second, nor the third thing. There is much to do before we get to that stage. At present, you, gentlemen, cannot do anything. To-morrow morning, perhaps, when I have consulted with Mademoiselle de Longarde, I may call you in again or call upon you.
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