“No,” I admitted. “I’ve had it in the bank, and … and it would have cost a great deal to insure. I couldn’t have done so at all in Germany, for all such ventures were defunct. This is one reason I wanted to sell it; it was such a worry.”
Mr. Stark’s mouth didn’t fall open, but he certainly registered his shock. “That’s unfortunate.”
“Yes,” I said. “I agree. As I told you, I’m a determined sort of person, but there are many things I don’t yet know. You may say that I’ve been foolish, and you would be correct. I’m making a most stringent note to be more cautious in future.”
Joe said, “If there’s any chance at all that he’s not legit, I say we don’t invite him back up here at all, even to check his identification. Who’s to say what’s in that case of his?”
“You don’t think—” I said.
“As you say,” Joe said, “it’s a very valuable piece of jewelry. No, I think Dad and I go downstairs and say that you need the weekend to think about it. And then we call him a taxi to the train station.”
“Oh, yes,” I said. “And this way, we can still go to the launderette to wash the so smelly towels and clothing. I hope Fred left his things here too, Joe, for we really must wash them for him.”
“You hardly seem upset,” Mr. Stark said, “at the idea of a fraudster pulling a gun and stealing your priceless uninsured necklace.”
“But of course I’m not upset,” I said. “It hasn’t happened.”
“But that itcouldhappen,” Mr. Stark insisted.
“Many bad things could happen,” I said, “but this is why one uses one’s talents to try to anticipate and prevent them. If they happen all the same …na ja,this too is life. Time enough to worry when they do. And before the launderette, Joe, we’llask your parents to take us in the car to the bank, and I will return the necklace to its box. And we will of course lock the door tonight.”
“Yep,” Joe said, looking rather grim. “You bet we will.”
“Perfectly prudent,” Mr. Stark said. “Just in case.”
“Yes,” I said. “Just in case. Thank you. You’ve beenmosthelpful. My mind is greatly eased.” I smiled, too. Winningly, I hoped.
What ructions there were on Monday!
At ten-thirty, while Joe was in class, I had a call from Mr. Stark. He said, “You can congratulate yourself on your instincts, Marguerite. Mr. Penderleigh didnotarrive in California on Thursday. He arrived yesterday. There was no old lady in the hospital, and I suspect that the genuine article is nothing like the man we met. The police have already been here, and Christie’s is up in arms; this will do their reputation no good at all if it gets out. They begged us not to say anything. I said, of course, that I couldn’t make any promises on your behalf.”
“But who was this man?” I asked.
“Oh, the same old story. Mr. Penderleigh’s secretary’s fiancé. Who hasn’t come back from California. She’s convinced he’s dead.” This last was said very drily.
“And yet you said that he seemed not at all disconcerted on Friday, when you sent him off. This made me rather doubtful, and I’m sure you felt the same.”
“I did,” he admitted. “Of course, a con man is always charming. That’s his stock in trade.”
“I don’t know this term.”
“A con man. A con artist. A fraudster.”
“Ah.Ein Schwindler.”
“Yes. A swindler. The word is similar.”
“I’m very sorry for this secretary,” I said. “She has perhaps lost her employment?”
“I should hope so. Women and their judgment!”
“Or men,” I said, “and their deceptions!”
He said, “Well, you have me there. Both Mrs. Stark and I are shocked, and very glad you raised the alarm. I’d have said I was a pretty shrewd man, but I have to confess that he took me in completely.”
“Good looks without character,” I said, “are very dangerous.”
He chuckled. “They most certainly are. Well, well. I’ve decided to send a car for you and Joe. I wouldn’t put it past that fellow to be waiting for you at the train station with a gun in his pocket.”
