“These rubies have no equal in the world—and the gold-work attaching them together is extremely old. I am always curious to admire it.”
He looked down at the girl, at the necklace, at the space about them, as though he were deeply, profoundly puzzled.
“We had a fear,” he said, “—it was wrong!”
Then he put his hand swiftly into the bosom pocket of his evening coat, took out a thin packet wrapped in a piece of vellum and handed it to the girl.
“It became necessary to treat with the English Government about the removal of records from Lhassa and I was sent—I was directed to get this packet to you from London. To-night, at dinner with Sir Henry Marquis in St. James's Square, I learned that you were here. I had then only this hour to come, as my boat leaves in the morning.” He spoke with the extreme care of one putting together a delicate mosaic.
The girl stood staring at the thin packet. A single thought alone consumed her.
“It is a message from—my—father.”
She spoke almost in a whisper.
The big Oriental replied immediately.
“No,” he said, “your father is beyond sight and hearing.”