New Orleans where she kept a
gambling-house, having learned the trade from him. When they met again
in Paris she recognized him. Then when the fellow conceived the idea of
following the jewels, it suited his purpose to affect a reconciliation
so that he might use the woman as a tool. After the murder it would be
to his interest to hide the name of Montalbon by cutting out the marks
on the woman's clothing."

"Pardon my pursuing the argument," said Mr. Thauret, "but I find it
entertaining. You surprise me, Mr. Barnes, at the ready way in which you
read men's actions. Only, are you sure you are right? Suppose for
instance that the woman had cut out the marks herself long before, at
some time, when she was using an alias, then your fact would lose some
of its significance, would it not? Circumstantial evidence is so
difficult to read, you see! Then having lost that link, where do you
prove Molitaire or Montalbon guilty? Being the woman's husband is no
crime in itself."

"No," said Mr. Barnes, deciding that the time had come for an end of the
controversy. "Being the woman's husband does not count in itself. But
when I procure in Paris the photograph of Molitaire, left by accident in
his room at his lodgings, and when I recognize that as the same man whom
Mr. Mitchel suspected and trapped into stealing the ruby; and when upon
my return to New York, I find that ruby upon that very man, and recover
it, then we have some facts that do count."

"You recovered the ruby?" said Mr. Mitchel, amazed.

"Here it is," said Mr. Barnes, handing it to Mr. Mitchel. Mr. Thauret
bit his lip, and by a strong endeavor retained his self-control.

"Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "I am sorry to disappoint you, but this
is not my ruby."

"Are you sure?" asked the detective, with a twinkle in his eye.

"Yes, though you deserve credit, for, though not the ruby, it is the
stolen stone. I have a complete set of duplicates of my jewels, and in
making my little experiment I did not care to bait my trap with so
valuable a gem. I therefore used the duplicate, which is this. But how
have you recovered it?"

"I have been in New York for several days. I have devoted myself during
that time to a personal watch upon Montalbon. Yesterday, to my surprise,
he went to Police Head-quarters and begged for a permit to inspect the
stolen jewels, saying that through them he might throw some light upon
the mystery. His request was granted. Suspecting treachery I