"It is possible that the contessa has deceived us," Quarles went on, "and wants to make us believe the earrings are stolen."
"Oh, no, monsieur!"
"Why not?"
"I am sure."
"Come, now, why are you so sure? Tell me what you know, and we will soon have you back at the Brunswick Hotel. Had you told the men in the corridor that all the contessa's jewelry was sham?"
"I know nothing of—"
"Wait!" said Quarles. "Think before you speak. You do not realize how much we know about the men in the corridor. The contessa saw them, remember."
The girl began to sob.
Very gently Quarles drew the story from her. One of the men was her brother. She had been glad to come to England to see him, but she found he had got into bad hands. She had helped him a little with money. She had talked about the contessa, and when he had spoken about her wonderful jewels she had told him they were sham.
"Did he believe you?"