but that there was a pistol in one of the hands resting in his lap, and as this crossed my mind I heard a rustle on the other side of the closed door.
My left thumb was hooked carelessly in the side pocket of my coat, and I doubted that I could get my weapon and shoot as quickly as could Ivan. Also, there was probably an armed servant behind the door. The odds were too heavy. In order to carry out my plan I would have to get Ivan out from behind his desk and without arousing his suspicion.
All of this went through my head in a flash. I leaned back in my chair with a troubled face. Then, turning to Ivan, I said:
"One cannot deny the truth of M. de Maxeville's remarks. Of course, I am deeply disappointed. My only hope now is that after hearing what M. de Maxeville has said, you do not regret your generosity in giving back Miss Dalghren's pearls. Not one man in a thousand would have done it and you may be sure that I appreciate the act and feel very deeply grateful. M. de Maxeville has presented, the matter in quite a different light. If I had seen it in that way myself I would hardly have had the cheek to come here with the request. It is the first time that I have ever asked a favour of anybody. As for this other string of pearls, there seems to be no remedy. Owing to my peculiar position the Cuttynges cannot, of course, take the matter to the police. One can never tell; it is even possible that Cuttynge himself might have stolen his own wife's jewels. Such things have happened. I know that he has been playing baccarat and has had some
