d the lid of the hat-box and revealed its contents.

"Yes; true enough! and I'll wager that this trunk contains some other
disguises which we should recognize," he responded. "But," he added, "we
have enough for our purpose just now, and we will defer further
examination until later. Now, Miss Richards, I am going down stairs to
confront that woman with this stolen property. You follow me, but remain
in the hall until I give you a signal, then come forward with these
disguises. Have you any idea who is below calling on her ladyship?" he
asked, in conclusion.

"No; but I am very sure that Mr. Raymond Palmer is somewhere in the
house, for he was to call for me, and his carriage is at the door."

"I am glad to know that," the man cried, "and now I will make quick work
of this business."

He turned and left the room with a quick step, and going directly below
entered the drawing-room, just as Mrs. Montague was rudely taunting Ray
about Mona.

The young girl gathered up the various articles of clothing and followed
him, and we know what occurred after that.

CHAPTER XX.

MRS. MONTAGUE EXPLAINS.

It would be difficult to describe the abject distress of the wretched
woman, whose career of duplicity and crime had been so unexpectedly
revealed and cut short.

She was the picture of despair, as she sat crouching in the depths of her
luxurious chair, her figure bowed and trembling, her face hidden in her
hands.

There was a silence for a moment after Mr. Amos Palmer left the room;
then Mr. Rider, who had been curiously studying his prisoner while the
gentleman was speaking, remarked:

"It is the greatest mystery to me, madame, how, with the large fortune
which you have had at your disposal, you could have wished to carry on
such a dangerous business. What could have been your object? Surely not
the need of money, nor yet the desire for jewels, since you have means
enough to purchase all you might wish, and you tried to sell those you
stole. One would almost suppose that it was a sort of monomania with
you."

"No, it was not monomania," Mrs. Montague cried, as she started up with
sudden anger and defiance; "it was absolute need."

"Really, now," Mr. Rider remarked, regarding her with a peculiar smile,
"I should just like to know, as a matter of curiosity, how much it takes
to relieve you from absolute need. I have supposed that you were one of
the richest women in New York."

Mrs. Montague flushed a sudde