our word not to use his name in approaching his employer, and our
promise of a suitable reward should we find his story of use upon
further investigation, and then we sought the purchaser of the jewel.

With him we dealt very cavalierly. We knew, no matter how, that he had
purchased an emerald of value, we told him; and I further added that
he had bought it from an accomplice, knowing that such an accusation
would soonest bring about the desired result, as indeed it did.

A sight of the jewel sent Monsieur Lausch into raptures and rages. It
was the lost emerald, the finest of them all!

That he could not at once carry away the gem somewhat modified the
rapture, but we came away quite satisfied on the whole, he that the
emerald would soon be restored to him, and I that I at last knew how
to deal with the brunette--always provided I should find her again
after the events of the day and night previous.

* * * * *

On the second day after his plunge into the lagoon I took Miss Jenrys
and her aunt to see the injured guard, who was booked at the hospital
as 'Carr.'

The blow upon the head had resulted first in unconsciousness, and
later in a mild form of delirium. I had made a preparatory visit to
the hospital, and was able to tell Miss Jenrys that the patient would
not recognise her or any of us.

I thought that she seemed almost relieved at this intelligence,
especially after I had assured her that the surgeon in charge had
assured me that the delirium was much to be preferred as a less
dangerous symptom than the lethargy of the first twenty-four hours.

'Mr. Masters,' she had said to me on our way to the hospital, 'there
is one thing which I overlooked in telling you what I could about--Mr.
Lossing. I--I trust you have not told them at the hospital, or
anywhere, that he is not what he has represented himself.'

I hastened to assure her that this secret rested still between us two,
and she drew a quick breath of relief.

'If he should die,' I added, watching furtively the sudden paling of
her fair cheek, 'it would become my duty and yours to tell the truth,
all of it. As he seems likely to recover, we may safely let the
disclosure rest with him.'

'I am glad!' she said. 'So long as he chooses to be--Mr. Carr, I
cannot of course claim his acquaintance. You--you are sure he will not
know me?'

'Quite sure,' I replied; and she said no more until we had reached the
hospital.

We w