‘Carl,’ Elena said. Her voice was very quiet now, and Mr Harris
listened carefully. ‘You came to dinner at our house tonight and you went to
my room and took my diamond necklace. How could you do that to me? My husband
gave the diamonds to me. They were his mother diamonds before that. He’s going
to be very, very angry – and I’m afraid of him.’
Her brother laughed. He put his hand in his pocket, then took it out
again and opened it slowly. The diamond necklace in his hand was very beautiful.
Mr Harris stared at it. For a minute or two nobody moved and it was quiet in the
carriage. There was only the noise of the train and it went quickly on through
the dark cold night.
Mr Harris opened his book again, but he didn’t read it. He watched
Carl’s face, with his hungry eyes and its cold smile. ‘What beautiful,
beautiful diamonds!’ Carl said. ‘I can get a lot of money for these.’
‘Give them back to me, Carl,’ Elena whispered. ‘My husband’s going to
kill me. You’re my brother… Please help me. Please!’
