“Most jewels are gifts,” said Mrs Temple with the utmost composure, but wondering whether she was going to die or only faint. The other woman looked at her now with open hostility in her eyes. And then, to her relief, Loree recognised that the approaching woman was Valeria Cork. She came up to them swiftly.
“Is anything the matter?” she asked in surprise, staring at the silent group of three. “How do you do, Mrs Solano?”
Perhaps it was by accident that she ranged herself at Loree’s side, facing the other two women. In the darkness she felt Loree’s hand clutch her arm as if in fear, but Loree’s voice said very calmly:
“This lady is under sane delusion about the necklace I am wearing.”
“No, I am not under any delusion,” said Mrs Solano and her voice, no longer pleasantly resonant, clanged like iron. “If you will take off that necklace I will prove to you that it is mine.”
Loree’s breath shortened. Mrs Cork laughed.
“But how fantastic, Mrs Solano! You must really realise that this is rather a wild statement to make.”
“It may sound so,” said Mrs Solano doggedly, “but, as I say, I am ready to prove it. My necklace has a blue diamond on each side of the clasp, and one of these diamonds has three dots or defects in it, that held in a certain light, give the impression of a tiny Death’s head grinning at you.”
“More fantastic still!” cried Valeria Cork still laughing. Loree had never known her so hilarious. “Does your necklace possess this sinister distinction also, Mrs Temple?”
“I have never noticed it,” was the stony answer.