The Opposite House: A Novel — page 179: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

174 The Opposite Flouse. ‘He was also your friend Ida’s confidant,” said Heloise, shrugging her shoulders. ‘‘ He knew that I had jewels, and came for love of my diamonds.” “He has robbed you °” “Ves, madam !”’ “You have reported it?” The dancer smiled bitterly. “He is too clever a swindler to commit common theft. No, he compelled me to give him a written statement that I had bestowed the jewels upon him as payment for a trivial friendly service. It was a mere pretext, for Iam sure that, had he given me even a glass of water, I should have been forced to sign the paper. He put his hand on his breast- pocket, saying: ‘Do either this or that ;’ and [knew that he would be capable of anything, and that the pistol he carried was loaded! I was obliged to sub- mit, if I wished to escape being murdered! Re- venge induced me to lure from his friend the secret concerning you, madam.” The Frenchwoman spoke as lightly as though the whole matter was a trifle, unpleasant, it 1s true, but not to be changed. Baroness von Rotterswyl had heard of the magnificent jewels, and was aston- ished at this cool reception of the loss. “Shameful!” she exclaimed, pacing hurriedly up and down the room. “ But howis he to be captured, mademoiselle? ‘The man is as smooth and slippery Comiclbookk<s C@