Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/58

 owned by a firm as she knew very well. The firm was wealthy, and could afford to lose a diamond once in a while. As an advertisement, the mystery and robbery had already paid excellent returns without question. No doubt the loss already had been charged off on the books—of course it had! All diamond salesmen are under bonds! An impersonal insurance company long since must have computed the cost and paid it.

But there are things easier to toss aside than the habit of perfect honesty in financial matters. It would be easier to toss social conventions aside than to neglect the scruples of respect for property.

Delia again brought out the diamonds and rubies, to stare at them. She stood before her fine mirror and looked first at the diamonds and then, meditatively, at the reflection of her own face and figure. Already she detected something in her expression as elusive as a nice question of honour. If she gazed steadfastly at her reflection, she did not see what puzzled her. But when she had been looking through the window at the eddying waters and her glance returned to her image, as her glance lighted upon her countenance, she saw fading that underlook of baffling but ominous meaning.

"It's a hard look!" she decided. "It's not plain, but it's there—a tough, a savage expression!"