on of the law. You
are very independent, Mademoiselle, but it can't go on for ever. The
man you fear may arrive at any moment. At any moment, too, your
treasure may by discovered."

"It is that that weighs on me," she cried. "The jewels! They are my
solemn trust, but they burden me terribly. If I were only rid of them
and knew them to be safe I should face the rest with a braver mind."

"If you'll take my advice," said Dickson slowly, "you'll get them
deposited in a bank and take a receipt for them. A Scotch bank is no'
in a hurry to surrender a deposit without it gets the proper authority."

Heritage brought his hands together with a smack. "That's an idea.
Will you trust us to take these things and deposit them safely?"

For a little she was silent and her eyes were fixed on each of the trio
in turn. "I will trust you," she said at last. "I think you will not
betray me."

"By God, we won't!" said the Poet fervently. "Dogson, it's up to you.
You march off to Glasgow in double quick time and place the stuff in
your own name in your own bank. There's not a moment to lose. D'you
hear?"

"I will that." To his own surprise Dickson spoke without hesitation.
Partly it was because of his merchant's sense of property, which made
him hate the thought that miscreants should acquire that to which they
had no title; but mainly it was the appeal in those haggard childish
eyes. "But I'm not going to be tramping the country in the night
carrying a fortune and seeking for trains that aren't there. I'll go
the first thing in the morning."

"Where are they?" Heritage asked.

"That I do not tell. But I will fetch them."

She left the room, and presently returned with three odd little parcels
wrapped in leather and tied with thongs of raw hide. She gave them to
Heritage, who held them appraisingly in his hand and then passed them
on to Dickson.

"I do not ask about their contents. We take them from you as they are,
and, please God, when the moment comes they will be returned to you as
you gave them. You trust us, Mademoiselle?"

"I trust you, for you are a soldier. Oh, and I thank you from my
heart, my friends." She held out a hand to each, which caused Heritage
to grow suddenly very red.

"I will remain in the neighbourhood to await developments," he said.
"We had better leave you now. Dougal, lead on."

Before going, he took the girl's hand again, and with a sudden movement
bent and kissed it. Dickson