“It’s my duty to learn all I can. If Miss Vernon is innocent, then Mrs. Stannard is guilty.”
“As a choice between the two, it is far more likely to be Mrs. Stannard. But I do not accuse her. I only insist on the impossibility of this child’s being a criminal.”
“’Course I couldn’t,” and Natalie smiled at the perplexed Roberts. “And if, to clear myself, I must tell all I know, then I’ll tell you that Mrs. Stannard has those emeralds in her possession now.”
“She has! How do you know?”
“I passed her room this morning. The door was ajar, and I was about to enter, when I saw her, at her dressing-table, looking over the case of emeralds. I recognised it at once. I’ve often seen them. I didn’t like to intrude, then, so I went on. I thought I wouldn’t say anything about it, unless it was necessary.”
“It is necessary. Has she had them all the time?”
“Let’s ask her,” said Barry. “I believe Joyce can explain it.”
They sent for Mrs. Stannard, and she came, Mrs. Faulkner accompanying her.
“I found these on my dressing-table this morning,” Joyce said, simply, holding out the case of emeralds to the view of all.
“Found them! Where did they come from?” asked Roberts.