d the coachmen apparently had received their orders.
A dozen well-trained nurses moved about the hall, and, having dressed
the little ones--who by this time were almost too drowsy with
pleasure to thank their entertainer--carried them out into the
portico, where the liveried footmen stood by the carriage doors.
Slam! went the doors, and one after another--with scarcely a word of
command-the carriages bowled off over the thick snow.

When the last guest had gone, Mr Felix turned to me.

'The play is over,' said he. 'When I am gone, it will be repeated
year after year at Christmas, at the Cripples' Hospital. My will
provides for that, and that will be my monument. But for a few years
to come I hope to hold the entertainment here, in my own house.
Come, you may take off your robe and wig and go in peace. I would
fain have a talk with you, but I am tired, as perhaps you may guess.
Go, then--and go in peace!'

Motioning the footman to fall back, he walked out with me and down
the steps of the portico; but halted on the lowest step by the edge
of the frozen snow, and with a wave of the hand dismissed me into the
night.

I had gained the end of the street and the bridge that there spans
the river before it occurred to me that I was carrying my bag, and--
with a shock--that my bag still held the stolen jewels.

By the second lamp on the bridge I halted, lifted the bag on to the
snow-covered parapet, thrust in a hand, and drew forth--a herring!

Herrings--red herrings--filled the bag to the brim. I dragged them
forth, and rained handful after handful overboard into the black
water. Still, below them, I had hopes to find the jewels. But the
jewels were gone. At least, I supposed that all were gone, when--
having jettisoned the last herring--I groped around the bottom of the
bag.

Something pricked my finger. I drew it out and held it under the
lamp-light. It was a small turquoise brooch, set around with
diamonds.

For at least two minutes I stared at it, there, under the lamp; had
slipped it half-way into my waistcoat pocket; but suddenly took a new
resolve, and walked back along the street to the house.

Mr Felix yet stood on the lower step of the portico. Above him,
still as a statue, a footman waited at the great house-door, until it
should please his master to re-enter.

'Excuse me, sir--' I began, and held up the brooch.

'I meant it for you,' said Mr Felix quietly, affably. 'I gave
precisely five