ning to her side.

"See here," began Fanning, swaggering forward threateningly toward the
two girls.

"My brother is just 'round that corner," said Peggy, boldly; "he'll be
here in a minute. If you don't wish to be arrested for what you did the
other night you had better get away from here, Fanning Harding."

A scared look crossed Fanning's face and he turned and fairly took to his
heels.

"Now, Hester," said Peggy, kindly, "come with me to my car. It's just
'round the corner."

"Oh, Peggy, I've been a bad, wicked girl, but I'm not a thief. Truly I'm
not."

"I believe that," said Peggy, "but what do you know about the
disappearance of the diamonds?"

"That I have them all here. Not one is gone," was the amazing reply, and
Hester, drawing a handkerchief from her bosom, unfolded it and displayed
to Peggy's amazed eyes a glittering collection of gems. In the midst of
the flashing gems gleamed the big ruby which Peggy had once seen Hester
so carefully conceal.

"Hester, you have a duty before you," said Peggy slowly; "get in my car
and come with me to my home and then tell me all about this mystery which
has puzzled us so long."

But the girl shrank back.

"I can't. Oh, Peggy, with you it's different, but before, the others.
Your brother----"

"Poor fellow, he has been under unjust suspicion on account of these very
jewels," Peggy reminded the agitated girl.

"Oh, give me time. Not now. I----"

"No, it must be now," said Peggy, with gentle insistence. "Come!"

Something in her manner seemed to strike the girl.

"You'll promise no harm will come to me or my father through this?" she
said.

"Is your father very deeply implicated in the matter?" asked Peggy
seriously, looking straight into the other's eyes.

"No. On my word of honor, no," was the response.

"Then I'll promise," said Peggy.

"Very well, then, I'll tell you all I know about the matter," said
Hester, as the girls got into the car.

An hour later, in the library of the Prescott's home, Peggy, Roy, Jimsy
and Jess were gathered listening to Hester's story. Her eyes were red
from crying and she hesitated frequently, but her manner showed that she
was telling the truth.

On a table lay the glistening jewels. Jess had counted them and found
that they were all there.

"I didn't find out about the jewels till one night Fanning, who has
always said he admired me," said Hester, with downcast eyes, "gave me
that big ruby there. At least he did