“I do not believe that you are guilty of murder. Tell me the whole story, plainly and straight, and I’ll clear you in so far as I can believe you innocent.”
For the first time the seer’s chin was at peace.
“You want me to begin with this lady’s necklace?”
“Why, yes. But after that, begin at the beginning.”
“The topazes are cached under a rock near the cliff. I couldn’t direct you, but I could show you.”
“In time you shall. One moment. As you realize, you are under presumption of murder. Do you know the identity of the victim?”
“Of Astræa? That’s all I know about her. I don’t even know her last name.”
“Why Astræa?”
“That’s the way she signed herself. She seemed to think I knew all about her, without being told.”
“And you played up to that belief?”