rse, if there had been a crime I would not shield the
guilty parties, whoever they might be."

At that moment Horace returned with Judge Lorrimer, whom he had met
walking just beyond Mrs. Stevens' grounds.

"I have tried to explain the case to him," said Horace; "but he says he
doesn't understand how any legal complications can arise."

"We will try to make that clear presently," said Nick. "Mrs. Stevens,
open that package. No; wait a moment. You are agitated. You should have
a glass of water. Permit me to ring."

He put his hand upon the bell-cord.

As he did so, Mrs. Stevens opened the package. The article within rolled
out upon her lap.

It was not the diamond clasp, but an ordinary pocket-knife of large
size.

"Why, Nick, it's yours," cried Patsy.

"So it is," responded the detective. "But this is a diamond clasp."

He drew the relic of the third crusade from his pocket as he spoke, and
handed it to the colonel.

At that moment Annie O'Neil appeared at the door in answer to the bell.

"And now," said Nick, while the others stared in wonder. "We will
consider the legal points involved.

"Judge Lorrimer, here are the necessary blank forms. Please grant me
warrants for the arrest of Horace Richmond and Annie O'Neil for criminal
conspiracy."

CHAPTER X.

SOME CLEVER TRICKS EXPLAINED.

No sooner had Nick uttered these words than a loud cry rang through the
house.

Instantly Millie Stevens appeared upon the threshold of the parlor.

"Horace!" she cried. "Tell me it is not true. You have not done this."

"Certainly not," he exclaimed. "It is an absurd slander. Carter, you'll
be sorry for this."

The girl looked straight into Horace's face for an instant.

Then she uttered a moan.

"He is guilty!" she cried; "I can read it in his eyes. And I loved him
so."

She sank upon the floor at her mother's feet.

"Oh, mother," she said, "this is a just punishment for me. You told me I
must give him up. You read his heart.

"But I secretly accepted his love. I received letters in which he begged
me to keep our love a secret, and in which I should have read a
confession of guilt.

"And all the time he loved me only because he thought that I should have
a fortune in gold and diamonds."

"You have stated the case exactly," said Nick. "When he thought you
would inherit all those jewels, he made love to you. Heaven knows that
your own attractions should have been enough, but they were not for him.