He had left in his London banker's strong room his latest collection of precious stones, after forwarding anonymously to Christie's a particularly fine pearl as a donation towards the British Red Cross necklace.
Musard's present stay at the moat-house was to be a brief one.

The British Government, on learning of his return to his native land, had asked him to go over to the front to adjust some trouble which had arisen between the head-men of a Kaffir labour compound.

As Musard's wide knowledge of African tribes rendered him peculiarly fitted for such a task, he had willingly complied with the request, and was to go to France on the following day.
Miss Heredith had taken advantage of his brief visit to consult him about the Heredith pearl necklace--a piece of jewellery which was perhaps more famous than valuable, as some of the pearls were nearly three hundred years old.

Sir Philip had given it to Violet when she married Phil.

But Violet had locked it away in her jewel-case and never worn it.