"Every word," said Naball, looking straight at her wrathful face. CHAPTER XII. NABALL TELLS A STORY. Kitty looked at him in silence with flashing eyes, and then laughed bitterly. "And how long is it since you added the spy business to your usual work?" she asked, with a sneer on her colourless face. "Since a few moments ago," replied Naball coolly. "I came to see you on business, and, hearing you in conversation with a lady, did not like to interrupt till you were disengaged." "I'm very much obliged to you for your courtesy," said Caprice scornfully; "but now you have satisfied your curiosity. M. le Mouchard, I'll trouble you to take yourself off." "Certainly, after I've had a few moments' conversation with you." "I decline to listen," said Kitty haughtily. "I think you had better," observed Naball significantly, "as it's about the robbery of your jewels." "I forbade you to go on any further with that matter." "You did; but I disobeyed your injunction." "So I understand," replied Kitty indignantly; "and may I ask if you have discovered anything?" "Yes--this!" and he showed the diamond crescent to Caprice. She started violently, and her pale face flushed a deep red. "Where did you get it?" she asked. "From Randolph Villiers." "Villiers!" she echoed in surprise. "How did it come into his possession?" "That is what I want to discover." "Then you may save yourself the trouble, for you will never know." "I understand that," said Naball quietly; "nothing can be done unless you permit me to go on." "I forbid you to go on," she retorted angrily. Naball bowed. "Very well," he said quietly, "then there is nothing for me but to leave." "No, I don't think there is," assented Kitty coldly, turning to re-enter the house. "But, before I go," went on the detective, playing his great card, "I will leave your jewel with you." "That," said Kitty, glancing over her shoulder at the crescent--"that is not mine." "Mr. Fenton says it is." "Mr. Fenton!" echoed Caprice jeeringly; "and how does Mr. Fenton know?" "I should think he was the best person to know," retorted Naball, nettled at her mockery. "A good many people think the same way," said Kitty disdainfully, "but in this case Mr. Fenton is wrong--I never saw those diamonds before." "Then how did it come into Mr. Villiers' possession?" "I don't know, not being in Mr. Villiers' confidence." "Oh!" said Naball significantly, "you are quite certain you are not?" "I don't understand you," replied Kitty coldly; "explain yourself." "Certainly, if you wish it," said the detective smoothly. "I will tell it in the form of a little story--have I your permission to be seated?" She nodded carelessly, whereupon Naball sat down on one of the lounging chairs, and, crossing his legs, settled himself composedly, while Kitty, standing near him with loosely-clasped hands, looked idly at the green lawn, with its brilliant border of many-coloured flowers.