Miss Peters nodded listlessly.

“Toodle-doo,” she murmured.

“As a coryphée, I suppose her diamonds are a sight?”

“A sight!” Mrs. Sixsmith closed her eyes. “They’re all laid up in lavender, I fear.”

“In lavender?”

“Pledged.”

“Oh, poor soul.”

“Just now you spoke of a necklace of your own ... a pearl rope, or something, that you wish to sell.”

“Unhappily I’m obliged.”

“I’ve a notion I might be of service in the matter.”