As I told you, I'd just sent him word in the usual cypher and through the usual channels, that I couldn't do what he wanted.

He'd offered me eight thousand pounds to undertake the service, and four more if I succeeded.

I believed I could succeed if I tried.

And with the few thousands I'd saved up, and selling such jewels as I had, I could make up the sum Raoul had been told to ask for the necklace.

Then he could give it to the Duchess, and she need never know that the diamonds had been stolen.