table--which is a big
box, open end down--just where the three-sided big mirror can multiply
the jewels and make you want 'em three times as bad, her big
russia-leather, silver-mounted box lies open, while she's dressing and
undressing. Other times it's locked tight, and his Lordship himself
has it tight in his own right hand, or his Lordship's man, Topham, has
it just as tight.

How to get that diamond! There was a hard nut for Nance Olden's sharp
teeth to crack. I only wanted that--never say I'm greedy, Mag--Gray
could keep all the rest of the things--the pigeon in rubies and pearls,
the tiara all in diamonds, the chain of pearls, and the blazing rings,
and the waist-trimming all of emeralds and diamond stars. But that
diamond, that huge rose diamond, I couldn't, I just couldn't let her
have it.

And yet I didn't know the first step to take toward getting it, till
Beryl Blackburn helped me out. She's one of the Charities, like me--a
tall bleached blonde with a pretty, pale face and gold-gray eyes. And,
if you'd believe her, there's not a man in the audience, afternoon or
evening, that isn't dead-gone on her.

"Guess who's my latest," she said to me this afternoon, while we four
Charities stood in the wings waiting. "Topham--old Topham!"

It all got clear to me then in a minute.

"Topham--nothing!" I sneered. "Beryl Big-head, Topham thinks of only
one thing--Milady's jewel-box. Don't you fool yourself."

"Oh, does he, Miss! Well, just to prove it, he let me try on the rose
diamond last night. There!"

"It's easy to say so but I don't see the proof. He'd lose his job so
quick it'd make his head spin if he did it."

"Not if he did, but if they knew he did. You'll not tell?"

"Not me. Why would I? I don't believe it, and I wouldn't expect
anybody else to. I don't believe you could get Topham to budge from
his chair in Gray's dressing-room if you'd--"

"What'll you bet?"

"I'll bet you the biggest box of chocolate creams at Huyler's."

"Done! I'll send for him to-night, just before Gray and her Lord come,
and you see--"

"How'll I see? Where'll I be?"

"Well, you be waiting in the little hall, right of Gray's dressing-room
at seven-thirty to-night and--you might as well bring the creams with
you."

Catch on, Mag? At seven-thirty in the evening I was waiting; but not
in the little hall of Gray's dressing-room. I hadn't gone home at all
after the afternoon performance--you know we play