“Why? Shall I be robbed?”

“Robbed!” she exclaimed, as if that was a new idea to her. “Yes,” she said hurriedly. “Those jewels might be stolen.”

“How do you know that I have jewels?”

“Ah! I — I saw the case.”

“Don’t trouble yourself, madam; I shall take particular care not to be robbed. But may I ask how you have got hold of my name?”

I had vague ideas of an ingenious plan for robbing me, the particulars of which this woman was ready to reveal for a consideration.

She ignored my question.

“Listen!” she said quickly.