"Of course, for her own sake, in the same way that she declared her ignorance of the diamonds being in the red bag. I said lately," went on Miss Toat, in an apologetic manner, "that the key in the outer door of the court might have been arranged as a false clue. I am right in one way, as the key was, I fancy, left in the door to avert suspicion from Madame Coralie. But her accomplice must have entered and escaped in that way, and afterwards, when Lady Branwin was dead and buried and the inquest was over, she must have met her accomplice to share the spoil. Hence she is now in possession of money which, according to many people, she sadly needed."
"Have you traced the diamonds?" asked Ralph, abruptly.
"No; and it will not be an easy task to trace them, especially if they have been unset and sold as separate stones. But I am shortly going round the pawnshops and to various fences--you know what a fence is, a person who receives stolen goods, I suppose, Mr. Shawe?--and if Madame sold them or pawned them herself the mark may help to identify her."
"I think not," said Shawe, grimly, "as she would probably wear a veil."
"Certainly not a yashmak," said Miss Toat, quietly. "However, I can but make inquiries, as I say. Moreover, I shall go back to the shop again and ask further questions. But I think--so far as I can judge--that my theory is a correct one."
Ralph again walked the floor. "Who do you think is the accomplice?"
"I can't say," said the detective, promptly. "At first I thought that Madame's husband might be the one; but he was with her and the three assistants in the still-room, and can prove as strong an alibi as his wife."
"What sort of person is this husband, and what is his name?"
"Edward Vail is his name, and he is what you would call a wastrel," replied Perry Toat, quickly; "one of those dandified idiots who walk the streets and dress loudly in order to attract the eyes of women. He is good-looking in an effeminate way, and has never done a stroke of work in his life."
"Strange that so clever a woman as Madame Coralie should marry such a character."