"I repeat—they are identical!"
Thomery looked smilingly at Sonia.
"Well, then, my dear one, I do not think you are mistaken!... I have all sorts of reasons for supposing that they really are two of your own pearls you are now holding in your hand...." And, then and there, Thomery told his fiancée all about the strange visit he had received the evening before, as well as his hope that he would be able to recover the stolen triple collar in its entirety.
"That intriguing dealer," said he finally, "must be a police informer.... In any case, I am persuaded that, before long, she will take me to some receiver or other who is in possession of your pearl collar."
"Oh, tell me you are not going among such people, all alone?" cried Sonia, with a note of sharp anxiety in her voice.
"But, why not?"
"If they are, as you think, thieves?"
"Well?"
"Well! Don't you see, my dear, that if you go to buy the pearls, they will count on your bringing a large sum of money with you!... Why, it would be a most imprudent thing to do!..."
Thomery shrugged his shoulders.