Parker replied. "Look at the back of the gold
clasp. There you are," he pointed out--"E.P."
Mr. Cullen and the inspector both bent over the necklace. The inspector
gave a brief order to a policeman.
"The initials on the clasp are certainly E.P.," the inspector admitted
slowly. "I do not pretend to be a judge of jewelry myself. However, I have
sent for some one who is."
A man in plain clothes entered the room. The inspector beckoned to him,
showed him the necklace and whispered a question. The man examined the
pearls for barely five seconds. Then he handed them back.
"Very nice imitation, sir," he pronounced. "There's a place in Bond Street
where I should imagine these came from, and another in the Burlington
Arcade. Their value is from seven to ten pounds."
The inspector dismissed him. He handed the necklace back to Mr. Parker and
rose to his feet.
"I can only express my most profound regret, sir," he said, "on behalf, of
the force. Such a mistake is inexcusable. Mr. Cullen will, I am sure, join
in offering you every apology."
Mr. Cullen was standing a few yards back. He was biting his lip until it
was absolutely colorless. There was a look in his face that was quite
indescribable.
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