"By the way, have you the note she sent to you this morning?"
"Yes. Here it is."
"By mail, or a messenger?"
"A messenger brought it."
"Ah!" murmured Nick, briefly studying the written page. "Plainly a foreign hand. Very firm and forceful. It indicates a strong and determined character. I should say that Señora Cervera is a woman of rare qualities."
"That is perfectly correct, sir. She is a woman of rare qualities."
"What did she decide to do about the diamonds, Mr. Venner?"
"She gave me an order for the cross, Detective Carter, to be made and delivered as soon as possible."
"This was during your call upon her this morning?"
"Certainly."