“No, of course it wouldn’t,” Jessica answered mechanically. Her thoughts seemed to be far away. “Tell me, Doctor Johnson,” she said suddenly, in a different tone, “to what cause do you attribute his sudden death?” “At first I attributed it to natural causes, but afterwards I changed my opinion,” he replied in measured tones. He was still looking hard at her. “And what made you change your opinion?” “One or two things which would take too long to explain. No doubt the actual cause will be arrived at during the inquest.” “There will be an inquest, then?” Preston fancied her voice trembled a little. “In the circumstances there will have to be.” “You mean you think he took his life--and by poison?” “Oh, no, Mrs. Robertson, you mistake me. But there is no need to go further into the matter now. You would like, I dare say, to view the body presently.” “Must I?” “Certainly not, unless you wish to. I thought perhaps you might wish to.” “I would much sooner not. The whole thing has upset me terribly, as I am sure it has upset us all.” She leant forward, poured herself out a glass of champagne, and emptied the glass at a draught. “Captain Preston and Mr. Blenkiron,” she said, “do help yourselves, and you too, Doctor Johnson. I am sure this affair must have given you all a shock.” Once more Preston and his friend were mingling in the gay throng. Doctor Johnson had left them after thanking them for their services and saying they would no doubt be called to give evidence at the inquest. A little group at one of the tables in the big supper-room were talking in animated tones, and Preston happened to overhear scraps of their conversation. “Yes, a woman has been arrested ... was arrested ten minutes ago ... the pearls were found in her possession. The man with her ... became furiously indignant, declared he had been with her all the night. Then she was confronted with the owner of the necklace, who swore she had sat beside her at supper ... the thief, or alleged thief, is quite a girl ... yes, I was standing by when they took her mask off....” “Who is she? Have you any idea?” somebody asked. “None at all. You can stake your life though, that at a show of this sort there are bound to be professional crooks about. Look at the diamonds here to-night! They must run into fortunes and fortunes. Well, here’s luck to us all, and I hope....” That was as much as Preston heard and it did not interest him greatly. Since leaving Jessica’s box he had been looking for Yootha, whom he had seen last with Cora Hartsilver. But their box was now empty, from which he concluded they were all dancing. Hopford, too, he had not come across for some time. Preston knew that Hopford and Yootha were engaged for several dances.