"I agree with you, Mr. Barnes. The writing is the same. What deduction do you draw from that fact?"
"What deduction! Why I found this description of the stolen jewels in the pocket of a dress belonging to Rose Mitchel."
"What? Do you mean to say that she was the woman who was robbed?" The blank amazement upon Mr. Mitchel's face disconcerted Mr. Barnes, for if he did not know this, the mystery seemed deeper than ever.
"Do you mean that you did not know it?" asked Mr. Barnes.
"How should I know it?"
This caused a silence. Both men stopped a moment to consider the situation. At length Mr. Barnes said coldly:
"Mr. Mitchel, I am under the painful necessity of placing you under arrest."
"Upon what charge?"
"Upon the charge of having stolen jewels, and perhaps of having murdered Rose Mitchel."