He went over to the dressing-room and opened a few small leather cases which held Celia's ornaments.

In one or two of them a trinket was visible; others were empty.

One of these latter Hanaud held open in his hand, and for so long that Besnard moved impatiently.
"You see it is empty, monsieur," he said, and suddenly Wethermill moved forward into the room.
"Yes, I see that," said Hanaud dryly.
It was a case made to hold a couple of long ear-drops--those diamond ear-drops, doubtless, which Mr.Ricardo had seen twinkling in the garden.
"Will monsieur let me see ?" asked Wethermill, and he took the case in his hands.

"Yes," he said.

"Mlle.