“I am exceedingly sorry,” the governor said at last, “but Mrs. Erwin will have to be notified. The jewels were either lost or stolen, and must be found. If the servants find the necklace a liberal reward will induce them to return it.”
The older people left the conservatory.
Just as the younger ones turned to leave, Barbara, whose strange expression had not escaped the sharp eyes of Ruth, laid her hand on Hugh’s arm.
“Ask Harry Townsend to stay here a minute with us, won’t you please, Hugh?” said Barbara hoarsely.
“Say, Townsend,” Hugh called, “come back a moment. I want to speak to you. Or, rather, Miss Thurston does.”
“Mr. Townsend,” said Barbara, her face pale as death, “did you not see Mrs. Post’s necklace when you took off her wrap in here?”
“No,” said Harry quietly. “Did you?”
“Ask him, Hugh,” said Barbara, desperately, “to show you what he has in his pockets!”
“Oh, say, Barbara!” Hugh answered. “I can’t do that. It’s a little too much.”
But Ralph stepped forward. “We don’t know what Miss Thurston means, but she most certainly doesn’t mean to insult Mr. Townsend unnecessarily. Why, then, should he mind turning out his pockets? Here Hugh,” Ralph turned, “search me first. Then Mr. Townsend won’t object to the selfsame process.”