atched pearls which my husband gave me for my birthday."

"Valuable--eh?"

"Yes," she sighed. "But you can't have them. I prize them very much."

"Greater than your own honour?" he asked, seriously.

"You shall never have them. What excuse could I make to Bracondale?"

"Leave that to me. Pearls are easier negotiated than diamonds. I can
sell them at once. If they are the good goods I'll give you the letter
in exchange for them. That's a bargain."

"They cost several thousands, I know."

"Good! Then we'll conclude the business to-night."

"No, no!" she protested. "What could I tell my husband?"

"I wish you wouldn't keep referring to him as husband, Jean, when he is
not your husband."

"To the world he is. I am no longer Jean Ansell, remember," she
protested.

"Well, we won't discuss that. Let's arrange how the exchange shall be
made. Now, around your house is a verandah. You will accidentally leave
the pearls on the table in one of the rooms at midnight, with the long
window unfastened, and I'll look in and get them. You will be in the
room, and we can make the exchange. Next day you will discover your loss
and tell the police that burglars have visited you. By that time I shall
be in Amsterdam. It's quite easy. Only keep your nerve, girl."

"But----"

"There are no 'buts.' We are going to carry this thing through."

She hesitated, thinking deeply. Then she openly defied him.

"I will not let you have those pearls. He gave them to me, and I won't
arrange a mock burglary."

"You won't give them to me as price of your honour--eh? Then you're a
bigger fool than I took you for. I dare say they won't fetch more than a
thousand--perhaps not that. So it's a sporting offer I am making you."

"You can have anything except that."

"I don't want anything else. I want to do you a good turn by getting
away from here--away from you for ever. I quite understand your feelings
and sympathise with you, I assure you," he said, his manner changing
slightly.

But she was obdurate. Therefore he at once altered his tactics and
resorted again to his bullying methods. He was a low-down blackguard,
although he was dressed as a gentleman and cultivated an air of
refinement. Yet he was a prince among thieves and swindlers.

"All this is mere empty talk," he declared at last. "I tell you that if
you refuse to do as I direct I shall call upon Bracondale this evening
and ask for alms. Oh," he laughed, "it will be quite amusing