"But he didn't. Miss Vernon, we've gone into all these matters very thoroughly. What do you suppose the Police have been doing? There isn't a possible theory we've overlooked, and it all comes back to the simple facts of the evidence that incriminate either Mrs. Stannard or yourself. I see no reason why I shouldn't tell you this frankly. If you care to say anything further in your own defence, I'd be glad to hear it. Naturally, you hate to accuse Mrs. Stannard, but it rests between you two, and it looks as if an arrest would be made soon." Bobsy was drawing on his imagination a little, but he was bound to startle some information out of this provoking beauty. And Natalie was startled. Her face paled as she took in the significance of Roberts' words. "They won't arrest me, will they?" she whispered in a scared little voice. "I don't see how they can," and Bobsy looked at the girl, wondering. That child, that little, tender bit of femininity--surely she could never have lifted her hand against a man's life! Even had she wished to, she seemed physically incapable of striking the blow. "Arrest you! Not much they won't!" and Barry Stannard strode into the room. Natalie turned to him with a little sigh of relief. "You won't let them, will you, Barry?" she said, as his arm slipped round her trembling shoulders. "I should say not! Are you frightening her, Mr. Roberts? You know you've no authority for all this." "It's my duty to learn all I can. If Miss Vernon is innocent, then Mrs. Stannard is guilty." "As a choice between the two, it is far more likely to be Mrs. Stannard. But I do not accuse her. I only insist on the impossibility of this child's being a criminal." "'Course I couldn't," and Natalie smiled at the perplexed Roberts. "And if, to clear myself, I must tell all I know, then I'll tell you that Mrs. Stannard has those emeralds in her possession now." "She has! How do you know?" "I passed her room this morning. The door was ajar, and I was about to enter, when I saw her, at her dressing-table, looking over the case of emeralds. I recognised it at once. I've often seen them. I didn't like to intrude, then, so I went on. I thought I wouldn't say anything about it, unless it was necessary." "It is necessary. Has she had them all the time?" "Let's ask her," said Barry. "I believe Joyce can explain it." They sent for Mrs. Stannard, and she came, Mrs. Faulkner accompanying her. "I found these on my dressing-table this morning," Joyce said, simply, holding out the case of emeralds to the view of all. "Found them! Where did they come from?" asked Roberts. "I don't know," and then, seeing the dark looks on the Detective's face, Joyce exclaimed, "You tell about it, Beatrice. I--I can't talk."