"During which time your room was unlocked?"
"Very likely. But the door to it was immediately behind her."
"Have you any reason to suspect her?"
"None whatever. She's been with me four years. Still, I do not except her from your investigation."
"Does she know of your loss?"
"No one in the world knows of it but you and I."
"And the thief," I added.
She winced. I was unable to ascribe a reason for it.
"Do you care to tell me why you waited six weeks before deciding to look for the thief?" I asked as gently as possible.
"My jeweller—who is also an old friend, has secured three more blue pearls," she answered quickly. "He has asked me for the necklace, so that he can add them to it. I cannot put him off much longer without confessing that I have lost it."