A fair amount； sir； made me a bit uneasy sometimes； I can tell you； with those nasty tales you hear of being robbed in foreign countries。 They were insured； I know； but all the same it seemed a frightful risk。 Why； the rubies alone； the mistress told me； were worth several hundred thousand pounds。〃
〃The rubies！ What rubies？〃 barked Van Aldin suddenly。
Mason turned to him。
〃I think it was you who gave them to her； sir； not very long ago。〃
〃My God！〃 cried Van Aldin。 〃You don't imply she had those rubies with her？ I told her to leave them at the Bank。〃
Mason gave once more the discreet cough which was apparently part of her stock…in…trade as a lady's maid。 This time it expressed a good deal。 It expressed far more clearly than words could have done； that Mason's mistress had been a lady who took her own way。
〃Ruth must have been mad；〃 muttered Van Aldin。 〃What on earth could have possessed her？〃
M。 Carrege in turn gave vent to a cough； again a cough of significance。 It riveted Van Aldin's attention on him。
〃For the moment；〃 said M。 Carrege； addressing Mason； 〃I think that is all。 If you will go into the next room； Mademoiselle； they will read over to you the questions and answers； and you will sign accordingly。〃
Mason went out escorted by the clerk； and Van Aldin said immediately to the Magistrate：
〃Well？〃
M。 Carrege opened a drawer in his desk； took out a letter； and handed it across to Van Aldin。