"There, there, Currier--that will do," broke in Stanley Heath, flushing. "And now, since Mrs. Howe is here and is in our secret, I may as well break to you something I have not yet had the chance to tell you. Part of the mission on which you came cannot be accomplished. You cannot take the gems back with you to New York. A calamity has befallen them."
The small, grey-haired man looked from Stanley Heath to Marcia, and for the first time, his imperturbable countenance betrayed mingled amazement and distress. Presently, however, he had it under control and as if he had donned a mask, it became as expressionless as the sphinx while he waited for the rest of the story.
"Mrs. Howe helped me conceal the jewels downstairs in a hiding-place under the kitchen floor," continued Stanley Heath. "When she went to get them, they were gone."
"It is all very mysterious," broke in Marcia, taking up the tale. "I cannot in any way account for their disappearance and am much distressed."
"Naturally so, madam--naturally so," responded Currier politely. "And you have searched the place carefully? Sometimes such things get misplaced."
"I've looked everywhere. They are not there."
"Have you any theory as to who could have taken them?" inquired Currier with more animation than he had up to the moment displayed.
"Absolutely none. I cannot even see how anybody had the chance to take them. No one knew they were there."
"Would you be willing to show me where they were hidden and allow me to investigate?"
"Certainly. I fear, however, search will be useless."
"I'll take you downstairs then, while we have the opportunity. You must have something to eat, too, for you must be hungry after your long ride."
"I could do with a cup of coffee, if convenient."
"You shall have more than that--a hearty breakfast. I am sure you need it. When do you start back?"
"Right off. As soon as you can get under way," Stanley Heath said decisively. "It is a fine day and you had better make the most of the tide."
"Go down now with Mrs. Howe, since she is so gracious, and have your breakfast. Examine, too, the place where we concealed the jewel-case. You may discover a clue she has missed."
"That is extremely unlikely, I fear, sir," was the man's modest answer. "Still, I will look."
