His lips were drawn closely
together; his opera hat was well over his forehead; his eyes never left
Mr. Parker. He looked to me there like a lean-faced rat preparing for its
spring.
I followed the exact direction of his steadfast gaze and I became cold
with apprehension. Lady Orstline was just in front of me; by her side was
Eve, and immediately behind her Mr. Parker, I tried to lean over, but in
the crush it was impossible.
"Some one you want to speak to, Paul?" my sister asked.
"There's a man there--if I can only get at him."
The little crowd in front of us was suddenly thrown into disorder by
having to let through two people whose carriage had been called. We seemed
to lose ground in the confusion, for a moment or two later I noticed Lady
Orstline standing outside the door, and my heart sank as I realized that
her neck was bare. Almost at the same instant I saw her hand fly up and
heard her voice.
"My necklace!" she called out. "Policeman, don't let any one pass out! My
necklace has been stolen--my pearls!"
The confusion that followed was indescribable. The doors were almost
barricaded. My sister and her husband and I were allowed through easily
enough, as we were known to be subscribers, but almost every one else
seemed to be undergoing a sort of cross-examination.
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