his wife.

Three hours later Justine Delande's arms clung desparingly around the
handsome outcast, as he was leaving her to be escorted home by the
adroit Francois, already in waiting without the restaurant with a closed
carriage. The presage of sorrow weighed upon her loving heart.

"Alan, My God, I can not let you go. You are the one brightness of my
life. My heart of hearts. My very soul," sobbed the wretched woman. "I
have fears for you. They will kill you in that far land, these powerful
enemies. That mysterious devil woman who bends all to her will will ruin
you." And then, really touched at heart, the desperate trickster drew
off his finger a superb diamond, the nonpareil, the choicest stone
of Ram Lal's unwilling tribute. "Wear this always, and think of me,
Justine," he said. "You are the only woman who ever loved me, and, if I
succeed, I swear you shall share my better fortunes--if not, then--" he
crushed her to his breast and ran out of the room, before she could
drag him back. "Go in, Francois, quickly to Miss Justine," cried Hawke,
thrusting a hundred-franc note in the butler's open hand. The rattle of
departing wheels was heard as Francois supported the half-fainting woman
to her carriage.

"Now for London," growled Major Hawke as the train dashed down the Rhone
valley. "I've got a clear alibi here. All my letters sent to Justine
will be forwarded to the Delhi Club. One day in London, then to
Granville, and Jack Blunt. They will only get Justine's story if they
shadow me, and if I can only hit it off right, at Calcutta. Yes! there
is the king luck of all. To give the whole thing away to the baffled
Viceroy. Then denounce Ram Lal to him as the early confederate and later
assassin of Hugh Fraser Johnstone! These jewels that I have 'innocently
received' will connect old Ram Lal with Hugh Fraser's betrayed trust. I
will hold the murder business back at first.

"Ram Lal or his estate will be finally forced to cash my drafts. It
is clear that Johnstone and Ram Lal have either divided or hidden the
jewels. Yes! By God! I have it. If I can wring them out of the old
professor, or find them, I will then hide them away and secretly report
the whole affair to the Viceroy, in my chosen colors as a friend of the
Crown, and they'll give me a huge reward; my permanent army rank will
soon follow. So, if Justine only holds to my alibi, by God! I will
marry her, for she would be a badge of respectability. I'll take no mo