His voice broke on the last word and he staggered away.
“Poor man,” Paolina said. “I don’t think I noticed the lady on board, but then I was in my – ” she stopped suddenly. She was going to say “my father’s cabin” and realised that the Conte was listening.
“You were not well yourself,” Sir Harvey interposed quickly, filling in the gap. “As you say, you were in your own cabin most of the time. But I saw Contratina. She was attractive, but getting on a little in years.”
“The necklace!” the Conte said curiously. “How does it happen that your sister has her necklace?”
“It is extraordinary, to say the least of it,” Sir Harvey replied. “I presume one of the fishermen who were collecting everything they could from the wreck must have found it and sold it in Ferrara. The day after we went asho
