"An experienced gem thief could probably find it in ten minutes' time. But that's neither here nor there. The point is, you should not keep the necklace in the house at all unless you do not care if you lose it."
"Of course I care," Mrs. Dillon retorted. "That string cost my husband fifteen thousand dollars."
"Then the necklace is even more valuable than I imagined. I should advise you to take it to the bank vault in the morning. Keep it there until you have it fully protected by insurance."
"I'll do it," Mrs. Dillon promised. "I really think your advice is worth following. I have been careless with the pearls."
In a few minutes the orchestra began to play again and the party went on, although many of the guests were still too nervous and excited to dance. They sat in groups discussing the hold-up. Christopher Nichols became the center of one admiring circle after another. He did not enjoy the attention.
"Let's go home," he suggested to Penny. "I've had enough."
"All right," she agreed instantly. "I left my wraps upstairs. I'll get them."
She crossed the ballroom and entered a hallway. As she paused to permit a couple to pass, she noticed that Hanley Cron and Mrs. Dillon were standing at the foot of the spiral stairway, their backs toward her, engaged in earnest talk. She could not help hearing a snatch of their conversation.
"Mrs. Dillon, why don't you take lunch with me tomorrow at my studio?" the art critic invited.
"I should enjoy it, Mr. Cron," the woman replied. "I might drop in after I take my necklace to the bank vault."