Quest slept for a couple of hours, had a bath and made a leisurely toilet. At a quarter to nine he sat down to breakfast in his rooms.
“At nine o’clock,” he told his servant, “a young lady will call. Bring her up.”
The door was suddenly opened. Lenora walked in. Quest glanced in surprise at the clock.
“My fault!” he exclaimed. “We are slow. Good morning, Miss Lenora!”
She came straight to the table. The servant, at a sign from Quest, disappeared. There were black rims around her eyes; she seemed exhausted. She laid a little packet upon the table. Quest opened it coolly. The Ashleigh diamonds flashed up at him. He led Lenora to a chair and rang the bell.
“Prepare a bedroom upstairs,” he ordered. “Ask Miss Roche to come here. Laura,” he added, as his secretary entered, “will you look after this young lady? She is in a state of nervous exhaustion.”
The girl nodded. She understood. She led Lenora from the room. Quest resumed his breakfast. A few minutes later, Inspector French was announced. Quest nodded in friendly manner.
“Some coffee, Inspector?”
“I’d rather have those diamonds!” the Inspector replied.
Quest threw them lightly across the table.