Chapter XVII
“You identify these emeralds as yours?”
“No, I can't. I don't see how anybody could identify unset stones,” said the rector wearily.
“H'm!” Inspector Furnival stopped, nonplussed. “But these exactly answer to the description that has been circulated, that you yourself supplied to the police.”
Mr. Collyer's face looked drawn and grey as he turned the stones over with the tip of his finger.
“Yes, yes! But emeralds look the same, and these seem to fit in their settings. I—I really can't say anything more definite. I thought mine were larger.”
The inspector swept the emeralds in their wadded box into a drawer.
“Well, there is no more to be said. We shall have to rely on expert evidence as to identity. Unless—wouldn't it be possible that young Mr. Anthony might be able to help us?”
“I should think it extremely unlikely,” said Tony's father decisively. “In fact I am sure it is impossible. I always took charge of the emeralds. Tony had not seen them for years before their disappearance.”
The inspector pushed the drawer to and locked it.