"The jewels he stole are under that brick. I've seen 'em."
With finger pointing dramatically toward the hearth, Elisha strode forward.
Sylvia, however, sprang before him, standing 'twixt him and his goal.
"What a ridiculous story, Mr. Winslow!" she cried. "What a fantastic yarn! Do you imagine for one moment there could be anything hidden under those bricks and Marcia and I not know it? Why, one or the other of us has been in this room every instant since Mr. Heath arrived. When could he get the chance to hide anything? Didn't you and Doctor Stetson get here almost as soon as he did? Wasn't it you who undressed him? Had he brought jewels with him you would have found them inside his clothing. You took off every rag he wore. Did you discover any such thing?"
"N—o."
"Well, then, don't you see how absurd such an accusation is? How could the gems get here?"
"I don't know how they got here. All I know is they're here," Elisha repeated stubbornly.
Sylvia's brain was busy.
That Elisha by some means or other had stumbled upon the truth there could be no doubt.
How was she to prevent it if he insisted upon searching as it was obvious he intended to do?