I guess we shall all know better where we exactly are when we've heard what she has to say." "If she's like most women that's lost aught in the way of finery," remarked Allerdyke drily, "she'll have plenty to say." That night he had abundant opportunity of hearing the Princess Nastirsevitch's views on the situation, freely expressed.

He himself fetched Celia Lennard to the conference at New Scotland Yard; they found Fullaway and the Princess already there, in full blast of debate.
Allerdyke inspected the new arrival with keen interest and found her a well-preserved, handsome woman of middle-age, sharp, smart, and American to the finger-tips.

The official whom they had met before was already questioning her, and for Allerdyke's benefit he repeated what had already transpired.
"The Princess affirms, Mr.Allerdyke, that not a soul but herself and your cousin, Mr.James Allerdyke, knew of this affair," he said.

"I am right, am I not, madame," he went on, turning to the Princess, "in saying that not one word of this transaction, or proposed transaction, was ever mentioned by you to any person but Mr.James Allerdyke ?" "To no other person than Mr.James Allerdyke," assented the Princess firmly.

"It would have been strange conduct on my part, I think, if I had told anybody else anything about it!--my object, of course, being secrecy.