As soon as the sensation created by the large offer was over, everybody looked suspiciously at his or her own neighbor.
No one spoke.
The millionaire waited a decent interval for someone to come forward, and Miss Serena finally broke the spell of silence by saying, quietly:
“You won’t find out anything by that, Atley.”
“Why not?”
“Because—” She spoke in harmony with her name, pronouncing her words serenely:
“Because—the person who threw the jewels off the Tramp—isn’t here—and wasn’t suspected or seen.”
“As I live and breathe!” The rich man rose, while Dick, Larry and Sandy almost bounced out of their chairs.
“Serena, explain that!” he added.
“It was your wife’s French maid—Mimi!” she said quietly.