“His excellency M. le Comte de Souza, ambassador from the Queen of Portugal, desires me to ask you if you have not in your possession a beautiful diamond necklace?”
Bœhmer looked at him scrutinizingly.
“A beautiful diamond necklace!” repeated he.
“The one which you offered to the Queen of France, and which our gracious queen has heard of.”
“Monsieur,” said Bœhmer, “is an officer of the ambassador’s?”
“His secretary, monsieur.”
Don Manoël was seated with the air of a great man, looking carelessly at the pictures which hung round the room.
“M. Bœhmer,” said Beausire abruptly, “do you not understand what I am saying to you?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Bœhmer, rather startled by the manner of the secretary.
“Because I see his excellency is becoming impatient.”