"Ah, heavens!" he gasped. "I am really going mad, or is there a magician amongst us?" Daphne Collis's blue eyes opened very widely, and the color slowly faded from her cheeks. "Mr. Chundermeyer," she began. But-- "Let us go into this little recess, where there is a good light," mumbled Chundermeyer shakily, "and I will make sure." The three of us entered the palm-screened alcove, Chundermeyer leading. He stood immediately under a lamp suspended by brass chains from the roof. "Permit me to examine your pearls for one moment," he said. Her hands trembling, Daphne Collis took off the costly ornament and placed it in the hands of the greatly perturbed expert. Chundermeyer ran the pearls through his fingers, then lifted the largest of the set towards the light and scrutinized it closely. Suddenly he dropped his arms, and extended the necklace upon one open palm. "Look for yourself," he said slowly. "It does not require the eyes of an expert." Daphne Collis snatched the pearls and stared at them dazedly. Her pretty face was now quite colorless. "This is not my rope of pearls," she said, in a monotonous voice; "it is a very poor imitation!" Ere I could frame any kind of speech-- "Look at this," groaned Chundermeyer, "as you talk of a poor imitation!" He was holding out a leather-covered box, plush-lined, and bearing within the words, "Isaacs and Chundermeyer, Madras." Nestling grotesquely amid the blue velvet were six small pieces of coal! Chundermeyer sank upon the cushions of the settee, tossing the casket upon a little coffee table. "I am afraid I feel unwell," he said feebly. "Mr. Kernaby, I wonder if you would be so kind as to find Inspector Carlisle, and ask a waiter to bring me some cognac." "Oh, what shall I do, what shall I do?" whispered poor Daphne Collis. "Just remain here," I said soothingly, "with Mr. Chundermeyer." And I induced her to sit in a big cane rest-chair. "I will return in a moment with Bertram and the inspector." Desiring to avoid a panic, I walked quietly into the ball-room and took stock of the dancers, for a waltz was in progress. The inspector I could not see, but Sir Bertram I observed at the further end of the floor, dancing with Mrs. Van Heysten, the Chicago lady whom I had warned to keep a close watch upon her diamonds. I managed to attract Collis's attention, and the pair, quitting the floor, joined me where I stood. A few words sufficed in which to inform them of the catastrophe, and, pointing out the alcove wherein I had left Chundermeyer and Lady Collis, I set off in search of Inspector Carlisle. Ten minutes later, having visited every likely spot, I came to the conclusion that he was not in the hotel, and with M. Balabas I returned to the alcove adjoining the ball-room. Dancing was in full swing, and I thought as we passed along the edge of the floor how easily I could have checked the festivities by announcing that Omar of Ispahân was present.