ed, and return them."

"Thousands of miles away," said Haggerty confidently. "Nothing ever
happened like that."

"Is it not true?" asked Kitty, ignoring Haggerty's interpolation.

"Miss Killigrew, either I'm dreaming or you are. I haven't the
slightest idea what you are talking about." Thomas was now whiter than
Kitty. "The talk about a wager is true; but I never knew you had lost
any sapphires."

"How about this little chamois-bag which I found in your trunk, Mr.
Webb?" asked Haggerty ironically. He tossed the bag on the desk.

The bag hypnotized Thomas. Suddenly he came to life. He snatched up
the bag and thrust it into his pocket.

"Those are mine," he said quite calmly. "Mine, by every legal and
moral right in the world. Mine!"

Kitty breathed hard and closed her eyes.

"Some brass!" jeered Haggerty, stepping forward.

"Can you prove it, Thomas?" asked Killigrew, hoping against hope.

"Yes, Mr. Killigrew, to your satisfaction, to Miss Killigrew's, and
even to Mr. Haggerty's."

Tableau.

Broken by the entrance of Crawford and Forbes, who were also pale and
disturbed. Crawford flung a packet of papers on the desk.

"Webb, I fancy that these papers are yours," said Crawford, smiling.

One glance was enough for Thomas.

"Tell them the truth," went on Crawford; "tell them who you are."

"I have wagered . . ."

"Never mind about the wager," put in Forbes. "Crawford and I have just
canceled it."

"What has happened?" asked Thomas. The whole world seemed tumbling
about his unhappy head.

"Tell Mr. Killigrew here how you have imposed on him and his family,"
urged Crawford, serious now. "Tell them your name, your full name."

Thomas hesitated a moment. "My name is Henry Thomas Webb-Monckton."

"Ninth Baron of Dimbledon," added Forbes, "and as crazy as a loon!"

CHAPTER XXIV

Meanwhile the whirligig had gone about violently after this fashion.

Forbes, wondering mightily, procured his automatics and gave one to his
impatient friend.

"What's the row, Crawffy?"

"Be as silent as you can," said Crawford. "Follow me. We may be too
late."

"Anywhere you say."

"The door will be locked. We'll creep around the upper veranda and
enter by opposite windows. You keep your eye on the valet. Don't be
afraid to shoot if it's necessary."

"What the deuce . . . !"

"Come!"

"But where?"

"Lord Monckton's room."

Blindly and confidently Forbes went out the rear window of th