“The bracelet was returned to me this evening. My thanks to you—both,” and bowing he turned to the door as the boy brought the lift to a stop.
Under the shock of his words Tom and Marjorie stood stock still, eying one another in complete bewilderment, while one question raced through the brains of both: what did the other know of the lost bracelet?
“All out,” exclaimed the elevator boy insistently, as he rolled back the door, and Marjorie, recovering herself first, followed Calhoun-Cooper into the reception hall out of which opened the large ballroom and cloak-rooms.
Just as Calhoun-Cooper started for the ballroom, Pauline crossed the threshold, and seeing her father, stopped short.
“Oh, father!” she exclaimed, making no effort to lower her penetrating voice. “Mother’s pearl necklace has been stolen from her.”
CHAPTER XIX
FALSE WITNESS
Marjorie handed the menu back to the chef, gave him the completed marketing list, added a few instructions, and made her way to the boudoir. There was no buoyancy in her step, and she looked wretchedly ill as she crossed the threshold into the sunlit room. If Mrs. Fordyce had not been deeply immersed in her own condition, she could hardly have failed to observe the deep circles under Marjorie’s eyes, and the hectic flush in each white cheek. Her sleepless night had left its telltale mark.
“How are you feeling, Mrs. Fordyce?” asked Marjorie, walking over to the couch on which the older woman was lying propped up with pillows.
“Better, thank you; if this old heart of mine only stops palpitating I will be up and about again in no time. Sit down by me, dear,” and Marjorie took a chair by the couch.
“Don’t you think I had better call off the dinner tonight?” she said.