“Thanks. You showed him into the drawing-room?”
“Yes.”
From the clearness with which he heard her voice Ralph gathered that Bridget had come out on to the first-floor landing. He heard her tear open the envelope.
Then she said: “That’s funny. The manager wants me to send him the bandeau I wear in the show, by his secretary. He wants to get it copied, and he’ll let me have it back at the theater to-night.”
Ralph swore under his breath: “Hang it!” he thought. “That bandeau is the chief object of my search. Is this manager also on the trail of it? And is Bridget Rousselin going to send it along to him?”
Her next words set his mind at rest.
“But I can’t do it,” she said. “I’ve already promised those stones.”
“That’s a pity,” said Valentine. “The manager will be annoyed.”
“I can’t help it. I’ve promised to sell them—and for a big price too,” said the actress.
“Then what am I to say?” asked Valentine.