“It all fits in. My letters are the duplicates of hers. It is true that they

came by post, but there is a curious perfume impregnating them—something in the

nature of joss-stick—that at once suggested the East to me. What does it all

mean?”

 

I shook my head.

 

“That is what we must find out. You have the letters with you? We might learn

something from the postmarks.”

 

“Unfortunately I destroyed them. You understand, at the time I regarded it as

some foolish joke. Can it be true that some Chinese gang are really trying to

recover the diamonds? It seems too incredible.”

 

We went over the facts again and again, but could get no further towards the

elucidation of the mystery. At last Lady Yardly rose.

 

“I really don’t think I need wait for Monsieur Poirot. You can tell him all

this, can’t you? Thank you so much, Mr.——”

 

She hesitated, her hand outstretched.

 

“Captain Hastings.”