the wall, not more than a dozen yards from the scene of the tragedy. As we

reached it, I gave a cry.

 

There, just short of the threshold, lay the glittering necklace, evidently

dropped by the thief in the panic of his flight. I swooped joyously down on it.

Then I uttered another cry which Lord Yardly echoed. For in the middle of the

necklace was a great gap.

 

The Star of the East was missing!

 

“That settles it,” I breathed. “These were no ordinary thieves.

 

This one stone was all they wanted.”

 

“But how did the fellow get in?”

 

“Through this door.”

 

“But it’s always locked.”

 

I shook my head. “It’s not locked now. See.” I pulled it open as I spoke.

 

As I did so something fluttered to the ground. I picked it up. It was a piece of

silk, and the embroidery was unmistakable. It had been torn from a Chinaman’s

robe.