And, after I had sought vainly for some time, I raised my head
and looked at Charmian, to find her regarding me with a very
strange expression.
"What is it?" I inquired. "Have you found the needle?" Charmian
sat back on her heels, and laughed softly.
"Oh, yes, I've found the needle, Peter, that is--I never lost it."
"Why, then--what--what did you mean--?"
For answer, she raised her hand and pointed to my breast. Then,
glancing hurriedly down, I saw that the locket had slipped
forward through the bosom of my shirt, and hung in plain view. I
made an instinctive movement to hide it, but, hearing her laugh,
looked at her instead.
"So this was why you asked me to stoop to find your needle?"
"Yes, Peter."
"Then you--knew?"
"Of course I knew."
"Hum!" said I. A distant clock chimed eleven, and Charmian began
to fold away her work, seeing which, I rose, and took up my
candle. "And--pray--"
"Well?"
"And, pray," said I, staring hard at the flame of my candle, "how
did you happen to--find out--?"
"Very simply--I saw the riband round your neck days ago. Good
night, Peter!"
"Oh," said I. "Good night!"