"Because the stones were far safer there than they are here," Beatrice said.
There was no mistaking the girl's insinuation; even Sartoris reddened.
"So you mean to say that you suspect me?" he asked.
"Most certainly I do," Beatrice said boldly. "I have only to look into your face to see that. You are all three together; there is no honesty between you. You are not even loyal to each other. And I know who you are and what part you all played in the removal of my father's body from the hotel. You who call yourself Sartoris, are the little cripple of the black hansom cab, you others are the rogues who posed as Countess de la Moray and General Gastang. And if those diamonds are to become your property, you must take them by force."
"Le brave chien," the woman sneered. "Well, I suppose what must be, must. Who will do it?"
"Who better than yourself?" Sartoris asked. "I had rather not lay hands on a woman, but——"
"There is no necessity. The painful thing is not going to be done at all. It is well that I am here to shield your consciences from such an outrage."
The door had opened so suddenly that the man Reggie was almost carried off his feet, and Berrington stood in the room. Beatrice gave a sudden sob of re
lief, for she had forgotten Berrington altogether in the tension of the moment. He stood there erect and upright, his face pale with anger and his eyes blazing like stars.
Sartoris burst out furiously and impatiently——