The little crowd in front of us was suddenly thrown into disorder by having to let through two people whose carriage had been called. We seemed to lose ground in the confusion, for a moment or two later I noticed Lady Orstline standing outside the door, and my heart sank as I realized that her neck was bare. Almost at the same instant I saw her hand fly up and heard her voice.
"My necklace!" she called out. "Policeman, don't let any one pass out! My necklace has been stolen—my pearls!"
The confusion that followed was indescribable. The doors were almost barricaded. My sister and her husband and I were allowed through easily enough, as we were known to be subscribers, but almost every one else seemed to be undergoing a sort of cross-examination. My brother-in-law was disposed to be irritable.
"Why can't the silly woman look after her jewels?" he exclaimed. "Another advertisement, I suppose."
"Can we drop you anywhere, Paul?" my sister inquired. "Or would you like to give us some supper?"
I had been staring out of the window. There was not a sign anywhere of Eve or her father; nor had I been able to catch a glimpse of Mr. Cullen.
"I am sorry," I replied; "but I am supping with some friends at
Stephano's. Could you set me down there?"
My sister raised her eyebrows as she gave the order. We were already in the Strand.
"Really, Paul," she remonstrated, "at your time of life—you are thirty- four years old, mind—I think you might leave Stephano's to the other generation!"
"Second childhood!" I explained as I descended. "In any case I really have an appointment here. Give you supper any other night with pleasure. Many thanks!"