with an air of some vexation. He paused and added, "Exactly—exactly. And what was the nature of the last theft of which you were the victim?"
"It was a pearl brooch—not unlike the pendant which his Grace gave me yesterday," said Germaine.
"Would you mind showing me that pendant? I should like to see it," said M. Formery.
"Certainly—show it to him, Jacques. You have it, haven't you?" said Germaine, turning to the Duke.
"Me? No. How should I have it?" said the Duke in some surprise. "Haven't you got it?"
"I've only got the case—the empty case," said Germaine, with a startled air.
"The empty case?" said the Duke, with growing surprise.
"Yes," said Germaine. "It was after we came back from our useless journey to the station. I remembered suddenly that I had started without the pendant. I went to the bureau and picked up the case; and it was empty."
"One moment—one moment," said M. Formery. "Didn't you catch this young Bernard Charolais with this case in his hands, your Grace?"
