au to see if there were any
letters. Instead, I rushed up to my own room, obtained the "trick"
attache-case, and carrying it along to Lady Lydbrook's room,
stealthily opened the door with the master-key which Ansaldi had given
me.

All was dark within. I switched on the light, when, before me, upon
the little table, I saw the small green jewel-box.

In an instant I placed the attache-case over it and next second it had
disappeared.

But as I did so, I heard a movement behind me, and, on turning, to my
breathless horror saw, standing before me, the pretty, fair-haired
young woman whom I had robbed!

"Well, Mr. Cottingham--or whatever your name is," she exclaimed in a
hard, altered voice as, closing the door behind her, she advanced to
me with a fierce light in her eyes. "And what are you doing here,
pray?"

Then, glancing at the table and noticing her jewel-case missing, she
added:

"I see! You have scraped acquaintance with me in order to steal my
jewels. You have them in that case in your hand!"

I stammered something. What it was I have no recollection. I only know
that my words infuriated her, and she dashed out into the corridor to
raise the alarm, leaving me in possession of the trick bag with the
jewel-case inside.

I dashed after her, seizing her roughly by the waist as she ran down
the corridor.

"Listen!" I whispered fiercely into her ear. "Listen one moment. You
surely won't give me away? Listen to what I have to tell you.
Do--I--implore you," I said. "I am no thief! I will tell you
everything--and ask your advice. No harm has been done. Your pearls
are here."

"Yes," she said, turning back upon me. "But you--the man I liked and
trusted--are a common thief!"

"I admit it," I said hoarsely as I dragged her back to her room, her
dress being torn in the struggle. "I have been forced against my will
into robbing you, as I will explain."

Back in her bedroom she assumed a very serious attitude. She invited
me to sit down, after I had handed back her jewel-case, and then, also
seating herself in an arm-chair, she said in determination:

"Now look here, George Hargreave ... you see, I know your real name. I
know your game. By a word I can have you arrested, while, on the other
hand, my silence would give you your liberty."

"You will remain silent, Lady Lydbrook--I beg of you! I know that I
have committed an unpardonable crime for which there is no excuse." I
thought of that strange midnight scen