utes before coming out. Then take
the cards in the envelopes, sealed, down-stairs and deposit them in
the mail-box. It will not be unlocked until one o'clock. By that time
I shall expect the thief to have deposited my jewelry in some
hiding-place about the house or grounds--a dozen will suggest
themselves on a moment's thought--the spot to be indicated on the
card. By this method ample time is granted in which to make
restitution with complete immunity from recognition, the secret will
be kept, the scandal hushed up, and, best of all, I shall be able to
continue considering each and every one of you my very dear friend."

"But"--and her handsome old face darkened with the shadow of the
determination that rang in her tone--"if this scheme should fail, and
the thief refuse to make restitution, then, though it break my heart,
I shall feel without alternative other than to take certain
steps--steps which I cannot now contemplate without positive loathing,
so repugnant are they to me. . . ."

"Now I have finished," Mrs. Gosnold said quietly. "I am sorry to have
imposed in this way upon your patience, but it seemed, I think you'll
grant me, warranted and necessary. I thank you, and hope you'll
forgive me. And now will you please return to your rooms, without
asking me any questions, and do as I have begged? And I sincerely hope
that this wretched business may not interfere with your enjoyment
to-night. For my part, I am so confident of the success of this scheme
that I mean to consider that I have not been robbed--that everything
is as it has always been, and as it will be after the envelopes
are opened at one o'clock."

She ceased; there was the stir of a general rising and movement toward
the door, amid a hum of excited murmurings.

CHAPTER XIII

MARPLOT

Once sheltered by the privacy of her bedchamber and seated before the
little white-enamel desk with its chintz-covered fittings that suited
so well the simple, cheerful scheme of decoration, the girl lingered
long, an idle pencil caught between fingers infirm of purpose. Her
gaze was fixed as if hypnotised to the blank white face of the bit of
cardboard that lay before her on the blotting-pad, her thoughts far
astray in a dark jungle of horror, doubts, suspicions, fears.

Immediately after shutting herself in she had gone straight to this
desk, possessed by the notion that there was a message requiring to be
written upon the card, one self-exculpatory sentence