"Now, the third proposition would appeal to me more were I not so interested in the woman," Quarles said. "Is she the sort of woman, for vain or selfish reasons, to enter into such a conspiracy with her maid? I grant the difficulty of plumbing a woman's mind--even Zena's there; but there are certain principles to be followed. A woman is usually thorough if she undertakes to do a thing, and had the contessa been concerned in such a conspiracy, we should have had far more detail given to us in order to lead us in another direction. This third proposition does not please me, therefore." "It seems to me we come back to the French maid," said Zena. "We do," said Quarles. "That is the leather case, Wigan. Does it tell you anything?" I took it and examined it. "You seem to have got some grease on it, Professor." "It was like that. Greasy fingers had touched it--recently, I judge--although, of course, the case may be an old one, and not made especially for the earrings. It is only a smear, but it could not have got there while the case was lying in a drawer amongst the contessa's things. Now open it. You will find a grease mark on the plush inside, which means that very unwashed fingers have handled it. That does not look quite like a dainty French maid--for she is dainty, Wigan." "That is why you examined her dress, I suppose." "Exactly! There was no suspicion of grease upon it. Facts have prejudiced you against Angelique. I do not see a thief in her, but I do see a certain watchfulness in her eyes whenever we meet her. She knows something, Wigan, and to-morrow I am going to find out what it is. I think a few judicious questions will help us." Quarles had never been more the benevolent old gentleman than when he saw the French maid next day. He began by telling her that he was certain she was innocent, that he believed in her just as much as her mistress did. "Now, when did you last see the pearls?" Quarles asked. "The day before they were stolen." "Your mistress was wearing them?" "No, monsieur, but the case was on the dressing table. It was the case I saw, not the pearls." "So for all you know to the contrary, the case may have been empty?" "I do not see why you should think that," she answered, and it was quite evident to me that she was being careful not to fall into a trap. "Just in the same way, perhaps, as you speak of the day before they were stolen. We do not know they are stolen. Were the pearls very valuable?" "I do not know. The contessa valued them." "She wears one or two good rings, I noticed," said Quarles, "but I understand the jewels she wears on the stage are paste." "Yes, monsieur, all of it." "Her real jewelry being at the bank!" "That is so, monsieur." "It is possible that the contessa has deceived us," Quarles went on, "and wants to make us believe the earrings are stolen." "Oh, no, monsieur!" "Why not?" "I am sure."