"I should call it idiotic," I answered.
"Your opinion is all cut and dried, I presume?"
"Absolutely," I answered. "I believe the maid took the jewels and handed them to her confederates who were waiting in the corridor."
"It is possible," said Quarles, "but it seems curious that the contessa should return just in time to see, not only the men in the corridor, but also the maid leaving her room. Have you considered why only the earrings were stolen?"
"There was nothing else to steal," I answered.
"Why, everybody has talked of her jewels!" Zena exclaimed.
"All sham."
"Who told you so?" asked Quarles.
"The maid."
"She didn't suggest the pearls were sham?"