For Miss Wentworth's quickness in guessing his meaning Mr. Franklyn had been unprepared. If she, inspired solely by the evidence of her own intuitions, had suspected Mr. Paxton, what sort of a case might not Mr. Ireland have against him? But Miss Strong's sense of perception was, apparently, not so keen. She looked at her companions as a person might look who is groping for the key of a riddle.
"I daresay I am stupid. I did read something about some diamonds being stolen. But--what has that to do with Cyril?"
Mr. Franklyn glanced at Miss Wentworth as if he thought that she might answer. But she refrained. He had to speak.
"In all probability the whole affair is a blunder of Ireland's."
"Ireland? Who is Ireland?"
"John Ireland is a Scotland Yard detective, and, like all such gentry, quick to jump at erroneous conclusions."
They saw that Miss Strong made a little convulsive movement with her hands. She clenched her fists. She spoke in a low, clear, even tone of voice.
"I see. And does John Ireland think that Cyril Paxton stole the Datchet diamonds?"
"I fancy that he hardly goes as far as that. From what I was able to gather, he merely suspects him of being acquainted with their present whereabouts."
Although Miss Strong did not raise her voice, it rang with scorn.