es were centered on her large fan, which, in swaying
to and fro, alternately hid and revealed the splendor on her breast; and
when by chance it hung suspended for a moment in her forgetful hand and
he caught a full glimpse of the great gem, I perceived such a change
in his face that, if nothing more had occurred that night to give
prominence to this woman and her diamond, I should have carried home the
conviction that interests of no common import lay behind a feeling so
extraordinarily displayed."

"Fanciful, my dear Miss Van Arsdale I Interesting, but fanciful."

"I know. I have not yet touched on fact. But facts are coming,
Inspector."

He stared. Evidently he was not accustomed to hear the law laid down in
this fashion by a midget of my proportions.

"Go on," said he; "happily, I have no clerk here to listen."

"I would not speak if you had. These are words for but one ear as yet.
Not even my uncle suspects the direction of my thoughts."

"Proceed," he again enjoined.

Upon which I plunged into my subject.

"Mrs. Fairbrother wore the real diamond, and no imitation, to the
ball. Of this I feel sure. The bit of glass or paste displayed to the
coroner's jury was bright enough, but it was not the star of light I saw
burning on her breast as she passed me on her way to the alcove."

"Miss Van Arsdale!"

"The interest which Mr. Durand displayed in it, the marked excitement
into which he was thrown by his first view of its size and splendor,
confirm in my mind the evidence which he gave on oath (and he is a
well-known diamond expert, you know, and must have been very well aware
that he would injure rather than help his cause by this admission) that
at that time he believed the stone to be real and of immense value.
Wearing such a gem, then, she entered the fatal alcove, and, with
a smile on her face, prepared to employ her fascinations on whoever
chanced to come within their reach. But now something happened. Please
let me tell it my own way. A shout from the driveway, or a bit of snow
thrown against the window, drew her attention to a man standing below,
holding up a note fastened to the end of a whip-handle. I do not know
whether or not you have found that man. If you have--" The inspector
made no sign. "I judge that you have not, so I may go on with my
suppositions. Mrs. Fairbrother took in this note. She may have expected
it and for this reason chose the alcove to sit in, or it may have been a
surprise to h