The important gathering took place in the library, the Prince, with the diamonds in his coat pocket, seated at the head of the long table, while the Princess sat at the foot, as far from her husband as she could conveniently get without attracting notice. Miss Baxter stood near a window, reading an important letter from London which had reached her that morning. The tall, thin detective and the portly Mr. Briggs came in together, the London man bowing gravely to the Prince and Princess. Mr. Briggs took a seat at the side of the table, but the detective remained standing, looking questioningly at Miss Baxter, but evidently not recognizing her as the lady who had come in upon him and his friend when they had entered the train. “I beg the pardon of your Highness, but what I have to say had better be said with as few hearers as possible. I should be much obliged if this young person would read her correspondence in another room.” “The young woman,” said the Prince coldly, “is secretary to her Highness, and is entirely in her confidence.” The Princess said nothing, but sat with her eyes upon the table, apparently taking no note of what was going on. Rich colour came into her face, and, as the keen detective cast a swift glance at her, he saw before him a woman conscious of her guilt, fearing exposure, yet not knowing how to avert it. “If your Highness will excuse my persistence,” began Mr. Taylor blandly. “But I will not,” interrupted the Prince gruffly. “Go on with your story without so much circumlocution.” The detective, apparently unruffled by the discourtesy he met, bowed profoundly towards the Prince, cleared his throat, and began. “May I ask your Highness,” he said, addressing himself to the Princess, “how much money you possessed just before you left Vienna?” The lady looked up at him in surprise, but did not answer. “In Heaven’s name, what has that to do with the loss of the diamonds?” rapped out the Prince, his hot temper getting once more the better of him. Cadbury Taylor spread out his hands and shrugged his shoulders in protest at the interruption. He spoke with deference, but nevertheless there was a touch of reproach in his tone. “I am accustomed to being listened to with patience, and am generally allowed to tell my story my own way, your Highness.” “What I complain of is that you are not telling any story at all, but are asking instead a very impertinent question.” “Questions which seem to you irrelevant may be to a trained mind most--” “Bosh! Trained donkeys! Do you know where the diamonds are?” “Yes, I do,” answered Cadbury Taylor, still imperturbable, in spite of the provocation he was receiving. “Well, where are they?” “They are in the vaults of your bank in Vienna.” “I don’t believe it. Who stole them then?” “They were put there by her Highness the Princess von Steinheimer, doubtless in security for money--”