I risked my life a dozen times, to get you the jewel! You must be
mad."

"How much do you want?"

"Fifty thousand pounds, and not a penny less."

"I'll not pay it."

"Then you don't get the stone."

"It's mine--I told you of it. Without my help you could have done
nothing. I demand it. It is my property. You were acting only as my
agent. Give it to me." Major Temple was beside himself with excitement.

"I'll see you damned first," cried Ashton, now thoroughly angry.

The Major glared at him, pale with fury. "I'll never let you leave the
house with it," he cried.

By this time my repeated coughing and shuffling of my feet had attracted
their attention, and they both hastened to conceal their anger. I felt
however that I had heard too much as it was, so, bidding them a hasty
good-night, I repaired as quickly as possible to my room and at once
turned in.

CHAPTER II

A CRY IN THE MORNING

I was thoroughly tired out by my long day in the open, and I must have
gone to sleep at once. It seemed to me that I was disturbed, during the
night, by the sound of voices without my door, and the movements of
people in the hallway, but I presume it was merely a dream. Just before
daybreak, however, I found myself suffering somewhat from the cold, and
got up to close one of the windows, to shut off the draught. I had just
turned toward the bed again, when I heard from the room across the hall,
the one occupied by Mr. Ashton, a sudden and terrible cry as of someone
in mortal agony, followed by the sound of a heavy body falling upon the
floor. I also fancied I heard the quick closing of a door or window,
but of this I could not be sure. With a foreboding of tragedy heavily
upon me, I hastily threw on some clothes and ran into the hall, calling
loudly for help. Opposite me was the door of Mr. Ashton's room. I rushed
to it, and tried the knob, but found it locked. For some time I vainly
attempted to force open the door, meanwhile repeating my cries.
Presently Major Temple came running through the hallway, followed by his
daughter and several of the servants. Miss Temple had thrown on a long
silk Chinese wrapper and even in the dim light of the hall I could not
help observing the ghastly pallor of her face.

"What's wrong here?" cried Major Temple, excitedly.

"I do not know, Sir," I replied, gravely enough. "I heard a cry which
seemed to come from Mr. Ashton's room, but I find his door locked."

[Illustration: "BRE