serve she does not even attempt to cover the back of
her hand. I'm afraid, Mr. Narkom, you've been barking up the wrong
tree."

CHAPTER XXII

By this time the major, his daughter, and young Curzon Leake, full of
deep and earnest solicitude for the long-erring Henry, and fairly
bristling with questions and entreaties, had crossed the intervening
space and were at Sir Mawson's side; but as the details of what
was said and done for the next ten minutes have no bearing upon
the case in hand, they may well be omitted from these records.
Suffice it then, that, on the plea of "having some very important
business with these gentlemen, which will not permit of another
moment's delay," and promising to "discuss the other matter later
on," Sir Mawson managed to get rid of them, with the story of the
lost necklace still unconfessed, and was again free to return to
the subject in hand.

"Of course, I can understand your reluctance, with those Indian
chaps about, to take anybody into your confidence regarding the loss
of the jewel, Sir Mawson," said Cleek, as soon as the others were
well out of hearing; "but sometimes a policy of silence is wise, and
sometimes it is a mistake. For instance: if any of a man's servants
should know of a circumstance which might have a bearing upon a
robbery they are not likely to mention it if they don't even know
that a robbery has been committed. However, we shall know more about
that after I've been over the ground and poked about a bit. So, if
you and her ladyship will be so kind, I should like to have a look
indoors, particularly in Lady Leake's boudoir, as soon as possible."

Upon what trivial circumstances do great events sometimes hinge!
Speaking, he turned toward the curve of the road to go back to the
guarded gates of the house which he had so recently passed, when
Lady Leake's hand plucked nervously at his sleeve.

"Not that way! Not for worlds, with those Hindus on the watch!" she
exclaimed agitatedly. "Heaven knows what they might suspect, what
word they might send to the Ranee's steward, if they saw us returning
to the house without having seen us leave it. Come! there is another
and a safer way. Through the grounds and round to the door of the
music room, at the back of the building. Follow me."

They followed forthwith, and in another moment were taking that
"other way" with her, pushing through a thick plantation, crossing
a kitchen garden, cutting through an orchard, an