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I’ll tell you why. Every woman who’s worn it has died a violent death. So—’ he went to her and poked a finger between the full swell of her breasts, ‘—my tortuous mind worked fast. If you were the beauty, one day I’d be free from—’
    He took her in his arms, and kissed her fiercely. She caught her breath, then slowly yielded her body against his.
    He drew his head back.
    â€˜Now you know what a villain you married.’
    â€˜I wish I hated you.’
    â€˜I wish you did. I’d have to woo my fiery beauty over again. It wouldn’t be so easy.’
    â€˜Easy!’
    â€˜That’s what I said. I held all the cards, then. Wasn’t I the Baron and in the height of his career? Wasn’t there a risk that I’d never give it up? Would you have married a sedate, middle-aged antique dealer who flares up now and again as a dude detective?’
    â€˜No!’
    â€˜There you are, you see.’ He kissed her again, more gently. ‘I couldn’t resist this mystery any more than I can you, my darling. You know it. But if—’
    â€˜If it’s dangerous, you’ll tell Bristow. That is, when it’s so dangerous you’re half dead. Did you buy the Adalgo because you wanted excitement?’
    â€˜I bought a lovely jewel, and I didn’t think of it as a gem of ill omen. Just as a jewel. This other business may peter out.’
    The ringing of the front door bell broke across his words.
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Chapter Five
A VISITOR AND A REQUEST
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    Lorna pulled herself free.
    â€˜That’ll be Pudding-face.’
    â€˜Who?’
    â€˜The man who brought the packet this afternoon.’
    â€˜And started all this.’
    â€˜So it’s only just started!’
    â€˜Let’s say it’s warming up.’ Mannering stood and looked at her. Her cheeks were flushed. She’d made up carefully before dinner and was at her best; it was a lovely best. She wore a black dinner gown, with a high neck; one creamy shoulder was uncovered, one long, slender arm was bare.
    â€˜Hate me?’ he asked.
    â€˜Yes!’
    â€˜Good! Open the door to Pudding-face while I see what he’s brought, will you? Keep him amused. Ask him if he’s really a thief or a murderer, anything will do.’
    â€˜I could ask him how much he’d want to murder you.’
    â€˜That’ll be fine.’
    The bell rang again.
    Lorna said in a choky voice: ‘Darling, be careful.’
    He nodded and hurried into the study. As he opened the settle and went through the various processes to get at the safe, he listened. Lorna hadn’t yet opened the door, and the bell rang for the third time. Lorna wanted to compose herself before meeting a stranger.
    Mannering took out the packet, and heard Lorna open the door. When she spoke, the surprise in her voice made him look up sharply.
    â€˜Good evening.’
    A woman answered, not Pudding-face.
    â€˜Good evening. Is this Mr. Mannering’s apartment?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Please, I must see him,’ the woman said.
    She sounded young and alarmed; Mannering could hear her breathing, as if she had hurried up the stairs. He opened the packet. Inside was a small jewel case, without a lock. Inside the case, a single diamond glowed up at him from a velvet lining; few would have been able to tell the difference between this and the one on display at Quinn’s.
    He slipped it into his pocket, then went to the door. Lorna was taking the caller into the drawing-room. Her profile hadn’t much wrong with it. She was very young and had fair hair, wavy, attractive. She wore a perfect fitting dark suit, and walked well.
    They entered the room, and Mannering heard her say:
    â€˜I must see him quickly. I hope it’s not a bad time, but—’
    â€˜I think he’s free. Who shall I tell him?’
    â€˜He doesn’t know me. I’m Marjorie Addel – Miss