“Yes — the jewels.”

“Well! Is it not the jewels that are missing?”

“Dear lady,” I said, “I aspire to be thought a man of the world — it is a failing of youth; but, then, I am young. As a man of the world, I cogitated a pretty good long time before I set out for Paris with your jewels.”

“You felt there was a danger of robbery?”

“Exactly.”

“And you were not mistaken.” There was irony in her voice.

“True! But let me proceed. A man of the world would see at once that a jewel-case was an object to attract the eyes of those who live by their wits.”