"I'm much interested in orange stones," remarked Kennedy, casually turning up a flawless white diamond and discarding it as if it did not interest him. "Once when I was abroad I saw the famous Invincible, and a handsomer gem than it is I never hope to see."
The clerk, ever obliging, replaced the tray before us in the safe and retired toward the back of the shop.
"He suspects nothing, at least," whispered Kennedy.
A moment later he returned. "I'm sorry," he reported, "but we haven't any such stones in the house. But I believe we expect some in a few days. If you could—"
"I shall remember it; thank you," interrupted Kennedy brusquely, as I caught a momentary gleam of satisfaction in his eye. "That's most fortunate. I'll be in again. Thank you."
We turned toward the door. In an instant it flashed over me that perhaps they were recutting the big Invincible.
"Just a moment, please, gentlemen," interrupted a voice behind us.
A short, stocky man had come up behind us.
"I thought you did not look like purchasers, nor yet like crooks," he said defiantly. "Did I hear you refer to the Invincible?"
It was Margot himself, who had been hovering about behind us. Kennedy said nothing.