ed.

"'Yes, thanks to your influence! I leave the stones in your hands,
sir. Do what you like about it. But remember that whatever you do
against me, is done against the future husband of your only daughter.
You will hear from me soon again, Elise. It is the last time that I
will ever cause pain to your tender heart,' and with these words he
left both the room and the house.

"My position was a dreadful one. Here I was with these precious relics
in my possession, and how could I return them without a scandal and an
exposure? I knew the depth of my daughter's nature too well to suppose
that I would ever be able to detach her from this man now that she had
entirely given him her heart. I was not even sure how far it was right
to detach her if she had such an ameliorating influence over him. How
could I expose him without injuring her--and how far was I justified in
exposing him when he had voluntarily put himself into my power? I
thought and thought until at last I formed a resolution which may seem
to you to be a foolish one, and yet, if I had to do it again, I believe
it would be the best course open to me.

"My idea was to return the stones without anyone being the wiser. With
my keys I could get into the museum at any time, and I was confident
that I could avoid Simpson, whose hours and methods were familiar to
me. I determined to take no one into my confidence--not even my
daughter--whom I told that I was about to visit my brother in Scotland.
I wanted a free hand for a few nights, without inquiry as to my comings
and goings. To this end I took a room in Harding Street that very
night, with an intimation that I was a Pressman, and that I should keep
very late hours.

"That night I made my way into the museum, and I replaced four of the
stones. It was hard work, and took me all night. When Simpson came
round I always heard his footsteps, and concealed myself in the
mummy-case. I had some knowledge of gold-work, but was far less
skilful than the thief had been. He had replaced the setting so
exactly that I defy anyone to see the difference. My work was rude and
clumsy. However, I hoped that the plate might not be carefully
examined, or the roughness of the setting observed, until my task was
done. Next night I replaced four more stones. And tonight I should
have finished my task had it not been for the unfortunate circumstance
which has caused me to reveal so much which I should have wished to