Bernice looked like a girl about to commit murder.
“You thief!” she cried. “You stole my hand bag!”
“Yes,” replied Nick, “I did steal your hand bag. It is down in the kitchen, behind the range. I have no further use for it.”
“Did you get this key from her hand bag?” demanded Charley.
Nick nodded.
“Then she stole the diamonds,” said Charley.
“You are wrong,” said the detective. “She did not steal the diamonds, but she was prepared to do so, and she concealed all knowledge of their whereabouts, for she knew this morning where they were.”
“It is false!” shouted Bernice. “Do you get us all up in the night to tell us of these things? It is all a lie!”
“You will be claiming, presently,” said Anton, “that I murdered Alvin Maynard.”
“You did,” said Nick coolly.