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Now whether that set my wits working I cannot tell, but in that instant the mists of confusion parted and three things struck me three several, staggering blows.

The first was that we had been drugged: the second, that two of our party were not in the room: and the third, that Daphne, Adèle and Jill were wearing no jewels.

My sister's emerald bracelets that came from Prague, her diamond and emerald necklace and diamond rings; the Duchess of Padua's pearls--historic gems which appear in a portrait by Velasquez that hangs at Rome; my wife's pearl necklace and rings and diamond watch--the lot were gone.

Dazedly I got to my feet and stepped to where Jonah was lying with his hand to the wall.

"Wake up," I cried, and shook him. "Jonah, wake up. We've been stung."

My cousin moved. Then he rolled on to his back and opened his eyes.

"Listen," I cried. "The Plazas have done it on us. They've made us tight, and there's not a jewel in the room."

Jonah sat up slowly and put a hand to his head.

"Half a moment," he said. "I must walk before I can run."