"I hope nothing is wrong about the money, sir," said Mrs. Belk, after a long pause.
"No! that is all right."
"Have you found out anything, sir?"
"You mean about the scarf-pin?" said Maxwell, evasively.
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Maxwell has found out the owner of it," interposed Mrs. Belswin, coldly.
"I am the owner," said Ferrari, complacently.
"You?" cried Mrs. Belk, with a sudden flush on her face; "you, sir?"
"Even I, signora!"
Mrs. Belk felt quite taken back. She was quite sure that the owner of the scarf-pin had killed Sir Rupert, yet, here he was, calmly acknowledging that it belonged to him, which he certainly would not do if he were guilty. The little woman looked from Ferrari to Maxwell, from Maxwell to Mrs. Belswin; and saw in their eyes the same expression---a look of pity. A sudden thrill of fear shot through her heart, and she turned towards Maxwell with a cry of alarm.