“No, sir; they’re in the reception-room,” Henderson followed his master out into the hall. “If you please, sir,” he began deferentially. “Don’t take the ladies into the drawing-room, sir; Miss Janet is there with a caller, and I don’t think she wishes to be disturbed, sir.” “Very well,” and hastening his footsteps, Fordyce went directly to the reception-room. Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper returned his greeting with such impressiveness that his eyes twinkled. “Please pardon me for keeping you waiting,” he began, after shaking hands with Pauline. “We had not meant to disturb you,” chimed in Pauline, “but your footman said Mrs. Fordyce was indisposed.” “And our errand is really very important,” interrupted Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper, “otherwise we would not have insisted on seeing you.” Calderon Fordyce looked at his guests in some perplexity, but their serious manner impressed him, and he said slowly, “In that case we had better adjourn to my library; we can have no privacy in this room. Will you come this way?” It was the first time Mrs. J. Calhoun-Cooper had been in the library, and she surveyed the handsomely furnished room with some envy. Calderon Fordyce’s “Now, madame,” brought her back to her errand. “Possibly Janet told you of the disappearance of my pearl necklace at the ball last night?” “My son spoke to me about it. Have you taken any steps to recover the necklace?” “My husband has placed the matter in the hands of detectives,” Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper cleared her throat. “The necklace is really very valuable, the pearls being graduated in size and of wonderful luster. It took my husband years to collect them----” her voice gave out. “I am deeply sorry for your loss,” said Fordyce gravely. “Have you no clue by which the thief might be traced?” “We have,” answered Pauline quickly. “And that brings us here.” “I don’t take your meaning,” Calderon Fordyce’s heavy eyebrows met in an unmistakable frown. “We are convinced that mother’s necklace was stolen by Miss Marjorie Langdon.” Fordyce’s eyes opened wide. “Preposterous nonsense!” he jerked out with more force than elegance. “I am sorry to contradict you,” Pauline’s thin lips closed obstinately. “There is no doubt but that she is guilty.” “You are really in earnest?” “Absolutely. We came here this morning to warn your wife, Mr. Fordyce, and not being able to see her, decided that it was our duty to tell you of Miss Langdon’s dishonesty.” “Thank you,” dryly. Fordyce regarded his visitors in incredulous silence for some seconds, then excusing himself, stepped past them into the hall. Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper exchanged an uneasy glance with her daughter, but had not opportunity to voice her thoughts, for Calderon Fordyce re-entered the room almost immediately, followed by Marjorie, whom he met returning from her shopping expedition. “As your statements were not made in confidence, Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper,” he said, “I must ask you to repeat them before Miss Langdon.”