to Miss Landis,
never dreaming what the consequences would be. Immediately thereafter,
but too late, I learned--I've a way of finding out what's going on, you
know--that Miss Landis had already put the case in the hands of the
police. It makes it very serious for you--the bandbox returned, the
necklace still in your possession, your wild, incredible yarn about
meaning to restore it ..."

In her overwrought and harassed condition, the sophistry illuded her;
she was sensible only of the menace his words distilled. She saw herself
tricked and trapped, meshed in a web of damning circumstance; everything
was against her--appearances, the hands of all men, the cruel accident
that had placed the necklace in her keeping, even her parentage. For she
was the daughter of a notorious thief, a man whose name was an
international byword. Who would believe her protestations of
innocence--presuming that the police should find her before she could
reach either Staff or Miss Landis?

"But," she faltered, white to her lips, "I can take it to her
now--instantly--"

Instinctively she clutched her handbag. The man's eyes appreciated the
movement. His face was shadowed for a thought by the flying cloud of a
sardonic smile. And the girl saw and read that smile.

"Unless," she stammered, retreating from him a pace or two--"unless
you--"

He silenced her with a reassuring gesture.

"You do misjudge me!" he said in a voice that fairly wept.

Hope flamed in her eyes. "You mean--you can't mean--"

Again he lifted his hand. "I mean that you misconstrue my motive. Far be
it from me to deny that I am--what I am. We have ever been plain-spoken
with one another. You told me what I was seven years ago, when you left
me, took another name, disowned me and ..." His voice broke affectingly
for an instant. "No matter," he resumed, with an obvious effort. "The
past is past, and I am punished for all that I have ever done or ever
may do, by the loss of my daughter's confidence and affection. It is my
fault; I have no right to complain. But now ... Yes, I admit I tried to
steal the necklace in the Park tonight. But I failed, and failing I did
that which got you into trouble. Now I'm here to help you extricate
yourself. Don't worry about the necklace--keep it, hide it where you
will. I don't want and shan't touch, it on any conditions."

"You mean I'm free to return it to Miss Landis?" she gasped,
incredulous.

"Just that."

"Then--where can I fin