I recognized his voice. “You were the one who helped me up when I fell,” I said. “And then you vanished.”

He nodded. “When they announced that a necklace had been stolen and the burly policeman made his entrance. I thought it was about time I did a bunk, rather than answer annoying questions.”

“But how did you get out of the room?”

“Easy enough. Everyone was watching you. As that large gendarme stepped through the door, I slipped out behind him. I’m rather good at doing that sort of thing.”

I eyed him suspiciously. “Then you took the necklace.” He grinned. “I’d hardly be likely to confess if I did, would I?”

“Then why did you try to escape, if you didn’t?”

“The answer to that is simple, old bean. Didn’t want the dear old mater and pater to know I’m here.” He held out his hand. “I’m Bobby, by the way. Bobby Groper.”

“Then Sir Toby is your father?”

“Precisely. And that fierce dragon of a woman is the mater, Lady Margaret. I’m supposed to be up at Oxford, you see.”

“So what are you doing here?”

“What everyone else does on the Riviera. Enjoying some fun and sun.” His expression grew somber. “Actually, I got sent down, but the old boy won’t have heard about it yet. So I thought I’d come in person to soften the blow. Do some explaining, y’know. But then the mater showed up and all hell broke loose and I realized that this was not the right time to announce that his son and heir was in disgrace.” He paused, chewing his lip like a little boy. “The old boy’s rather hot on education and all that bosh. I say what’s the point when one is going to inherit rather a lot of money one day, but that’s not how he thinks. He still has the spirit of those dreadful factory-owning ancestors. You know—hard work, elbows to the grindstone, or whatever the saying is.”

“So you failed your exams, did you?”

“Not exactly.” He made a face again. “Little matter of a forged check. It’s all the pater’s fault, you know. He keeps me so dashed short of ready cash that I was a bit strapped, and a fellow was rather twisting my arm to pay up some gambling debts—so, well, I only intended to borrow the money until I could cadge some more out of the old man, but the rotter reported me to the master.” He paused, looking at me thoughtfully. “I say, you don’t like roulette, do you?”

“I’ve never really tried.”

“It’s frightfully fun. I could teach you.” He looked hopeful.

“I’m sure you could, but I have no cash to play with. I’m as broke as you are.”