"Tufnell said you wished to see me," he said, with an inquiring glance from beneath his dark brows.
"Yes. I should be glad if you would give me a description of the missing necklace. It will be useful in tracing it."
"It is not difficult to describe," replied Musard, seating himself on the edge of the bed. "It consisted of a single row of pink pearls, none of them very large. The biggest is about forty grains, and the others between twenty and thirty. It has a diamond clasp, set in antique gold, which is the most valuable part of the necklace. Do you know anything about jewels?"
"A little."
"Then you are aware that blue and red diamonds are the most valuable of stones. This diamond is a blue one—not very large, but a particularly fine stone."
"Of course the necklace is well-known to jewel experts?"
"As well-known as any piece of jewellery in Europe. Some of the pearls in it are hundreds of years old. It would be almost impossible for the thief to dispose of the necklace."
"It might be taken to pieces," suggested Colwyn.
"In order to hide its identity? Well, yes, but the selling value would be greatly reduced. The pearls have been strung."
"What about the diamond? Could not that be sold by the thief without risk of discovery?"