House in Charlton Crescent (29 page)

“What!” The rector stared at him. “The Collyer emeralds—paste! Why, they have been admired by experts!”

“No. Not the Collyer emeralds,” Mr. Bechcombe contradicted. “The Collyer emeralds were magnificent gems. This worthless paste has been substituted.”

“Impossible! Who would do such a thing?” Mr. Collyer asked.

“Ah! That,” said Luke Bechcombe grimly, “we have got to find out.”