"If I can..."
"Your father and I entertained one passion in common, one which he was better able than I to gratify, for good diamonds and emeralds. I have often wondered what became of his collection. He had some superb stones."
"I inherited them, monsieur."
"They did not find their way into Cottier's stock, then?"
The Comtesse de Lorgnes gave a gesture of excitement. "But what a fortunate woman! You truly have those magnificent emeralds, those almost matchless diamonds, of which one has heard--the Anstruther collection?"
"I have them, Madame la Comtesse," said Eve with a smiling nod--"yes."
"But, one presumes, in Paris, in some impregnable strong-box."
"No, madame, here."
"But not here, Madame de Montalais!" To this Eve gave another nod and smile. "But are you not afraid--?"
"Of what, madame? That they will be stolen? No. They have been in my possession for years--indeed, I should be unhappy otherwise, for I have inherited my father's fondness for them--and nobody has ever even attempted to steal them."