of the story of theNaval Attache the gentleman with the pearl took no part. Instead, hearose, and, beckoning a servant to a far corner of the room, whisperedearnestly to him until a sudden movement on the part of Sir Andrewcaused him to return hurriedly to the table.
"There are several points in Mr. Sears's story I want explained," hecried. "Be seated, Sir Andrew," he begged. "Let us have the opinion ofan expert. I do not care what the police think, I want to know what youthink."
But Sir Henry rose reluctantly from his chair.
"I should like nothing better than to discuss this," he said. "But itis most important that I proceed to the House. I should have been theresome time ago." He turned toward the servant and directed him to call ahansom.
The gentleman with the pearl stud looked appealingly at the NavalAttache. "There are surely many details that you have not told us," heurged. "Some you have forgotten."
The Baronet interrupted quickly.
"I trust not," he said, "for I could not possibly stop to hear them."
"The story is finished," declared the Naval Attache; "until Lord Arthuris arrested or the bodies are found there is nothing more to tell ofeither Chetney or the Princess Zichy."
"Of Lord Chetney perhaps not," interrupted the sporting-lookinggentleman with the black tie, "but there'll always be something to tellof the Princess Zichy. I know enough stories about her to fill a book.She was a most remarkable woman." The speaker dropped the end of hiscigar into his coffee cup and, taking his case from his pocket, selecteda fresh one. As he did so he laughed and held up the case that theothers might see it. It was an ordinary cigar-case of well-wornpig-skin, with a silver clasp.
"The only time I ever met her," he said, "she tried to rob me of this."
The Baronet regarded him closely.
"She tried to rob you?" he repeated.
08 The Princess Zichy]
"Tried to rob me of this," continued the gentleman in the black tie,"and of the Czarina's diamonds." His tone was one of mingled admirationand injury.
"The Czarina's diamonds!" exclaimed the Baronet. He glanced quickly andsuspiciously at the speaker, and then at the others about the table.But their faces gave evidence of no other emotion than that of ordinaryinterest.
"Yes, the Czarina's diamonds," repeated the man with the black tie."It was a necklace of diamonds. I was told to take them to the RussianAmbassador in Paris who was to deliver them at Moscow. I am a Queen'sMessenger," he added.
"Oh, I see," exclaimed Sir Andrew in a tone of relief. "And you saythat this same Princess Zichy, one of the victims of this double murder,endeavored to rob you of--of--that cigar-case."
"And the Czarina's diamonds," answered the Queen's Messengerimperturbably. "It's not much of a story, but it gives you an ideaof the woman's character. The robbery took place between Paris andMarseilles."
The Baronet interrupted him with an abrupt movement. "No, no," he cried,shaking his head in protest. "Do not tempt me. I really cannot listen. Imust be at the House in ten minutes."
"I am sorry," said the Queen's Messenger. He turned to those seatedabout him. "I wonder if the other gentlemen--" he inquired tentatively.There was a chorus of polite murmurs, and the Queen's Messenger, bowinghis head in acknowledgment, took a preparatory sip from his glass. Atthe same moment the servant to whom the man with the black pearl hadspoken, slipped a piece of paper into his hand. He glanced at it,frowned, and threw it under the table.
The servant bowed to the Baronet.
"Your hansom is waiting, Sir Andrew," he said.
"The necklace was worth twenty thousand pounds," began the Queen'sMessenger. "It was a present from the Queen of England to celebrate--"The Baronet gave an exclamation of angry annoyance.
"Upon my word, this is most provoking," he interrupted. "I really oughtnot to stay. But I certainly mean to hear this." He turned irritably tothe servant. "Tell the hansom to wait," he commanded, and, with an airof a boy who is playing truant, slipped guiltily into his chair.
The gentleman with the black pearl smiled blandly, and rapped upon thetable.
"Order, gentlemen," he said. "Order for the story of the Queen'sMessenger and the Czarina's diamonds."
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