“One day you’ll push your luck too far, my lady. I asked you to keep an eye on her, that’s all.”

“I was. I was following her. And now we have to find out what she wanted with that building and why she didn’t go in. Do you think she had some kind of assignation there or was trying to drop off the jewels?”

Darcy shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s simpler than that. She was keeping an eye on Mr. Goldman.”

“He’s in this building? Why?”

“Because his wife lives here. I think Stella wanted to make sure he was only visiting his wife when he sneaked out, and not another woman.”

“Oh, no. How funny.”

Darcy put an arm around my shoulder. “Come on. I’ll walk you back to your hotel.”

“This is a nice surprise,” I said as we walked with his arm around me. “I was wondering when I’d see you again.”

“I expect I’ll keep turning up like a bad penny,” he said.

“So the jewels were not found on anyone leaving the ship?” I asked. “Do you still suspect Stella?”

“They weren’t found. And yes, Stella is still a suspect. That’s why I’ve been observing her.”

“What about Princess Promila? She was supposed to stay at the Plaza and then canceled at the last minute. Isn’t that fishy?”

“I understand that she has gone to Newport, Rhode Island, to stay with the Astors,” Darcy said. “That should be easy enough to verify.”

“So you think she is the real thing?”

“Yes, I do.”

We crossed Fifth Avenue.

“It’s a lovely night,” Darcy said. He took my hand and led me into the park. We passed other couples, sitting on benches, or walking arm in arm. When we came to a deserted bench we sat. Darcy took me into his arms and kissed me. The kisses were long and delicious and left me breathless. After a while I sat with my head against his shoulder. I wished the moment could go on forever. Then I remembered that I had crept out without telling my mother where I was going. She’d probably be worried.

“I really should go back,” I said. “I left without telling Mummy.”

“Do you really think your mother would notice you were gone?” Darcy laughed.

“Probably not. But I should get back just in case.” I stood up and pulled him to his feet.

Our shoes crunched on the gravel path as we made our way back to the lights of the city. His hand was warm in mine. “Do you think you might be following Stella out to California?” I asked. “She’s taking an aeroplane in the morning.”

“Who knows?” Darcy said. “I’m waiting for a wire from London to see what they want to do next. And to see where the ruby might turn up.”