In the short story The Pearl of Price, Carol Blundell is the daughter of the American millionaire Caleb Blundell. Together with her father's secretary Jim Hurst, they are members of Parker Pyne's party who are on a visit to Petra in Jordan.
During the excursion, Carol lost one of her earrings, which is reputed to be worth some $80,000. A thorough search in the camp and among the excursion members yields nothing. Later in the evening, Carol approaches Parker Pyne with a special request, not so much to find the earring, but to prove that Jim Hurst is innocent.
She explains that she and Hurst are in love and hope to marry but it would take some time to persuade her father who prefers her to the English M.P. marry Sir Donald Marvel. Some time ago Hurst had been caught stealing in the Blundell house. Carol pleaded with her father to give him a chance, which he did and subsequently made good. However a cloud of suspicion over Hurt for the theft of the pearl earring would now totally turn her father against him.