Part 11 (1/2)

”What does this outrage mean?” he asked, and one of the men drew a warrant and notebook from his pocket.

”You are arrested for the murder of Mrs. Blumenstein in the Semiramis Hotel,” he said, ”and I have to warn you that anything you may say will be taken down and may be used in evidence against you.”

”Preposterous!” exclaimed Favart. ”There's a mistake. We will go along to the police and put it right. Where's your evidence against me?”

Hanaud stepped out of the doorway of the dressing-room.

”In the property-room of the theatre,” he said.

At the sight of him Favart uttered a violent cry of rage. ”You are here, too, are you?” he screamed, and he sprang at Hanaud's throat.

Hanaud stepped lightly aside. Favart was borne down to the ground, and when he stood up again the handcuffs were on his wrists.

Favart was led away, and Hanaud turned to Mr. Ricardo and Clements.

”Let us go to the property-room,” he said. They pa.s.sed along the corridor, and Ricardo noticed that Calladine was no longer with them.

He turned and saw him standing outside Joan Carew's dressing-room.

”He would like to come, of course,” said Ricardo.

”Would he?” asked Hanaud. ”Then why doesn't he? He's quite grown up, you know,” and he slipped his arm through Ricardo's and led him back across the stage. In the property-room there was already a detective in plain clothes. Mr. Ricardo had still not as yet guessed the truth.

”What is it you really want, sir?” the property-master asked of the director.

”Only the jewels of the Madonna,” Hanaud answered.

The property-master unlocked a cupboard and took from it the sparkling cuira.s.s. Hanaud pointed to it, and there, lost amongst the huge glittering stones of paste and false pearls, Mrs. Blumenstein's necklace was entwined.

”Then that is why Favart came always to Covent Garden when _The Jewels of the Madonna_ was being performed!” exclaimed Ricardo.

Hanaud nodded.

”He came to watch over his treasure.”