“My son spoke to me about it. Have you taken any steps to recover the necklace?”
“My husband has placed the matter in the hands of detectives,” Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper cleared her throat. “The necklace is really very valuable, the pearls being graduated in size and of wonderful luster. It took my husband years to collect them——” her voice gave out.
“I am deeply sorry for your loss,” said Fordyce gravely. “Have you no clue by which the thief might be traced?”
“We have,” answered Pauline quickly. “And that brings us here.”
“I don’t take your meaning,” Calderon Fordyce’s heavy eyebrows met in an unmistakable frown.
“We are convinced that mother’s necklace was stolen by Miss Marjorie Langdon.”
Fordyce’s eyes opened wide. “Preposterous nonsense!” he jerked out with more force than elegance.
“I am sorry to contradict you,” Pauline’s thin lips closed obstinately. “There is no doubt but that she is guilty.”
“You are really in earnest?”
“Absolutely. We came here this morning to warn your wife, Mr. Fordyce, and not being able to see her, decided that it was our duty to tell you of Miss Langdon’s dishonesty.”