e to do so unless I have Miss
Norman's promise that I shall keep the business."

Paul would have refused then and there, but Hurd, more astute,
interrupted his angry speech. "We'll see about that later, Mr. Pash," he
said, soothingly; "meanwhile, what did you do with the brooch?"

"I laid it on the table there. The case was open, as I had been looking
at it. I sent Tray out of the room and attended to my usual business.
Several clients came and went, and I forgot about the opal serpent. Then
I went to see my clerk outside about a deed. I was with him for some
minutes. When I recollected the brooch before I went home--for I
intended to take it with me--"

"Stop," interrupted Hurd, "you were here till Aaron Norman came along
with the jewels, so you must have missed the brooch before he came or he
would have taken it, seeing it was exposed on the table."

"My esteemed client did not come till seven," said Pash, annoyed at
being detected in trickery. "He walked about with the bags of jewels for
some time, not being able to make up his mind to give them to me, which
he did for safe keeping."

"Then he expected a visit from his wife?"

"I can't say," said the solicitor, with an air of fatigue. "He certainly
hinted that he wanted the jewels placed away safely in case someone
connected with the opal brooch should come."

"Perhaps Captain Jessop, who did come," said Paul, suddenly.

"He didn't mention the name of Jessop," snapped Pash. "Had he hinted at
a sailor I would have known who my nautical visitor was."

"We know all about that," said Hurd, waving his hand; "But if Norman
came to you at seven, how did you manage to prevent him meeting his wife
in this office?"

"Oh, she was--What do you mean?" asked Pash, breaking off, and conscious
that he was letting slip something he had rather had not been known.

Hurd saw the slip and Pash's confusion and at once made every use of the
opportunity. In fact, he played a game of bluff. Shaking his finger he
approached the little lawyer. "Do you think I come here unprepared?" he
asked, solemnly; "do you think I have not been to 'The Red Pig' at
Christchurch and learned that Mrs. Krill knew of her husband's
whereabouts, through Hay, long before the day she came to you with the
lying story about the hand-bills? Hay has confessed his share in the
business of a false introduction to throw Mr. Beecot off the scent,
seeing that he was defending Miss Norman's interests. Do you think