Nevertheless she had to bear me out. Miss Hamerton had sent word that the company was to be paid off with two weeks' salary, and the amount charged to her. I referred Mr. Metz to the doctors. They impressed him with medical phrases he didn't understand. He finally departed talking to himself and waving his hands.
Mr. Mount, of course, was very different. He came in all suave sympathy, anxious to uphold me in every way. I had wished to see him for a special purpose. I couldn't allow the possibility of a ghastly mistake being made.
I produced the fateful little seal leather box, and snapped it open again. "Are these the lost pearls?" I asked.
The man had wonderful self-control. No muscle of his face changed. Only his black eyes flamed up. He took the case quietly, but those eyes pounced on the pearls like their prey, and wolfed them one by one. He returned the case to me. A curious smile wreathed the corners of his voluptuous mouth.
"Those are the pearls," he said quietly.
"You are sure?"
"Sure?" He spread out his hands. "There are no other such pearls in the world."
I returned the case to my pocket.
"Where did you find them?" he asked.
"At present I am not free to say how they were recovered," I replied. "No doubt Miss Hamerton will give it out later."