"No."
"You feared he might not be in sympathy with your requirements?"
"No, he—— Have these questions anything to do with our—case?" She seemed to be frightened.
"They have," he said. "You have your diamonds and pearls. You might raise quite a sum on such valuable gems."
The look of fear upon her face increased.
"I couldn't!" she said, as if she feared the walls might hear and betray. "Please don't mention——"
"You didn't tell me what they are, or why you wish to keep them," he said. "What does it mean?"
"Please don't ask!" She was greatly agitated. "Please trust me—a little while longer! You probably have to return to Branchville and your work."
He determined then and there upon the one supreme test of the situation.
"That reminds me," he said, averting his gaze; "the work on which I am engaged in Branchville is the case of a man named Hardy. I'm glad he was not your uncle."