“They would replace them ... those paper-knives,” said the Duke, smiling.
Germaine and her father led the way. M. Formery, Guerchard, and the inspector followed them. At the door the Duke paused, stopped, closed it on them softly. He came back to the window, put his hand in his pocket, and drew out the packet wrapped in tissue-paper.
He unfolded the paper with slow, reluctant fingers, and revealed the pendant.
CHAPTER XIII
LUPIN WIRES
The Duke stared at the pendant, his eyes full of wonder and pity.
“Poor little girl!” he said softly under his breath.
He put the pendant carefully away in his waistcoat-pocket and stood staring thoughtfully out of the window.
The door opened softly, and Sonia came quickly into the room, closed the door, and leaned back against it. Her face was a dead white; her skin had lost its lustre of fine porcelain, and she stared at him with eyes dim with anguish.
In a hoarse, broken voice, she muttered: “Forgive me! Oh, forgive me!”
“A thief—you?” said the Duke, in a tone of pitying wonder.