"Sir! Sir!" she stammered, nervously, "what does this mean?--why do you come here?"
"We want to see your son, Mrs. Belk."
"My son, sir? Is anything wrong? Oh, tell me, sir, Samson has been doing nothing wrong?"
None of the three persons present answered her, so filled were their hearts with pity for her coming agony.
"Is it anything to do with the diamond, sir?"
"Yes."
"Oh!" cried Mrs. Belk, with an expression of relief on her face, "perhaps you think my son stole it?"
"Your son," said Mrs. Belswin, quickly. "Did he have that scarf-pin in his possession?"
Mrs. Belk faced round fiercely.
"No ma'am; he knows nothing about it."