Page:Rowland--The closing net.djvu/79

Rh I pulled myself together. My throat and mouth felt dry and I hated to speak. John gave me another curious look and his face hardened a trifle. He pulled out his cigarette-case and lit a cigarette in a sullen sort of way. Something in his expression stiffened my back.

"Tell me the particulars," I said.

"There ain't much to tell," he answered. "Mary went to a big dinner at the Billings' last night. They are Americans—barrels of money, and mighty little else. Mary teaches the daughters music. She wore her pearls. After your visit showed me how easy it was for a cracksman to walk in and out of the house, I bought a small, new-model American safe, which is in my room. Both Mary and Edith keep their jewels in it. But last night I was playing a little baccarat at the Automobile Club and didn't get in till three. Edith has the combination, but she was asleep when Mary got home, and not wishing to disturb her, Mary locked up her pearls in her bureau de toilette. When she looked for them this morning they were gone. That's all."

He smoked sulkily, staring out through the window.

"What have you done about it?" I asked.

"Nothing," he snapped, "what was there to do? Edith would not let me" he stopped short and got red.

"Edith would not let you notify the police," I said. "Of course she wouldn't. What would be the use, after you have taken a felon into your family? The prefect would laugh at you and say it served you right. The thief knew that."