The satchels were brought, examined, and nothing found. "Now, gentlemen, I suppose I am free, as we are at my station. I shall only remain here a few hours and will then go on to New York. If you should wish to see me again I shall stop at the Hoffman House. Here is my card. _Au revoir._" Mr. Barnes took the card and scrutinized it. "What do you think?" asked the conductor. "Think? Oh, you mean of that fellow. You need not worry about him. There is not a shadow of suspicion against him--at present. Besides, should we ever want him, I could find him again. Here is his name--Alphonse Thauret--card genuine too, of French make and style of type. We can dismiss him now and turn our attention to the other passengers. Do you suppose I could have an interview with the woman?" "You shall have it if you wish. We will not consult her wishes in the matter. The affair is too serious." "Very well then send her in here and let me have a few words with her alone. Don't tell her that I am a detective. Leave that to me." A few minutes later a tall woman apparently about forty-five years of age entered. She was not handsome yet had a pleasing face. As she seated herself she looked keenly at Mr. Barnes in a stealthy manner which should have attracted that gentleman's earnest thought. Apparently he did not notice it. The woman spoke first. "The conductor has sent me in here to see you. What have you to do with the case?" "Nothing!" "Nothing? Then why----" "When I say I have nothing to do with the case, I mean simply that it rests with you whether I shall undertake to restore to you your diamonds or not. I look after such things for this road, but if the loser does not wish any action taken by the road, why then we drop the matter. Do you wish me to make a search for the stolen property?" "I certainly wish to recover the jewels, as they are very valuable; but I am not sure that I desire to place the case in the hands of a detective." "Who said that I am a detective?" "Are you not one?" Mr. Barnes hesitated a moment, but quickly decided on his course. "I am a detective, connected with a private agency. Therefore I can undertake to look up the thief without publicity. That is your main objection to placing the case in my hands is it not?" "You are shrewd. There are reasons, family reasons, why I do not wish this loss published to the world. If you can undertake to recover the jewels and keep this robbery out of the newspapers I would pay you well." "I will take the case. Now answer me a few questions. First, your name and address." "My name is Rose Mitchel, and I am living temporarily in a furnished flat at ---- East Thirtieth Street. I have only recently come from New Orleans, my home, and am looking for suitable apartments." Mr. Barnes took out his note-book and made a memorandum of the address. "Married or single?" "Married; but my husband has been dead for several years."