“A very delightful lady, and rich,” Kaufmann returned. “Charitable too, and loyal. My friends are all very loyal. Did you know that she donated ten fully-equipped ambulances to this country?”
“I saw it in the papers,” said Anthony Trent. And for the life of him he could not help smiling.
Mr. Kaufmann begged permission to light a cigar. It would have been difficult to find a more urbane or genial gentleman in all Switzerland.
“The Baron and Baroness von Eckstein are close friends.”
Since he offered no other remarks Anthony Trent spoke.
“And I am to derive a story from so slender a plot.”
“That is but the beginning,” Kaufmann assured him. “One night the Baroness had a very valuable necklace stolen. It was worth a great deal more than was supposed. Diamonds have gone up in price. She told me about it. In my native land I had some little skill as an amateur detective. She had been to a ball and had met many strangers. At my request she mentioned those to whom she had spoken at length. Among them was your name. That means nothing. There were twenty others. Now I come to another interesting thing. Do I entertain you?”
Anthony Trent simulated a yawn. He gave the appearance of one who listens because a guest in his house speaks and politeness demands it. In reality a hundred schemes went racing through his head and in most of them Herr Kaufmann played a part that would have made him nervous had he guessed it.
“Indeed yes,” Anthony Trent assured him. “Please continue.”
“Very well,” said the other cheerfully. “Next, my plot takes me to New Bedford. You know it?”