There was a rent in the wall paper through which she felt tempted to slip it! The seconds were flying. In another moment those men would open that door and all would be lost! She could almost have annihilated time and space, so greatly was her mentality strained and quickened. In turning to look once more, with a sickening despair striking her vitals, her glance fell on Bela, standing perfectly rigid with terror.
Quick as thought she flew to the Bushman, and placing her finger on his eye, lifted the lid, took out that glass eye, slipped the diamond in, and returned the eye to its place. Then turning to her husband, panting, she whispered:
“Where did you get that diamond?” He collected his scattered senses and feebly answered:
“The Fingo boy.” She sank on her chair a seemingly indifferent, indolent houri, as the door flew open and the detectives entered.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” said Dainty in a steady voice, but with a questioning look, as if she wondered at the strange hour and abrupt entrance of visitors.
“Sorry to disturb your dinner, madam,” said one of the men, “but we have traced a marked diamond here; and must search for it.”
“Why do you search here?” said Donald, haughtily.
“Hush, Donald! I suppose nothing we could say would hinder them,” said Dainty, calmly.
Her coolness and her smile won the evident admiration of the men for a moment; but yet brusquely spoke one of them:
“Nothing, madam,” and immediately the search began. Again Donald spoke: