re not his to
return now. He cursed the day he had lied about them.

The old General gravely said: "Professor Fraser, I desire to say that
Captain Anson Anstruther represents both her Majesty's Government and
His Excellency, the Viceroy of India. There is a magistrate waiting in
the house even now, and I recommend you to seriously consider the words
of the Captain. If you are officially brought to face your past refusal
to his just demands, I fear that you will be left, Sir, in a very
pitiable position. I will now retire until you have conferred with the
representative of the Indian Government. Remember! Once in the hands of
the authorities, your person and estate will suffer grievously if you
have conspired against the Crown."

Andrew Fraser's eyes were downcast as Captain Anstruther, with a last
glance at his friend, then locked the door. "Now, Sir, I repeat to you
for the last time the official demand which I made in London upon you as
executor of the late Hugh Fraser Johnstone, to surrender certain jewels
wrongfully withheld, a list of which I have furnished you, as the
property of Her Majesty's Indian Government, and which stolen property I
now demand on this list."

There was a long pause. "I cannot! They are not in my possession! I know
nothing whatever of them," faintly replied the startled old miser.

"I warn you that I have a search warrant, particularly describing the
articles stolen and the place of their concealment, and a magistrate now
awaits my slightest word," said the aid-de-camp sternly.

"Do with me as you will. You will not find them! I know nothing about
them," faltered the desperate old man. He was safe against arrest, he
hoped.

"Then, I will serve the warrant," remarked the Captain, as Andrew
Fraser's head fell upon his breast. A fortune lost, and now, shame and
perhaps prison awaited him.

"One moment," politely said Major Hardwicke. "Do not serve the warrant.
I will surrender the Crown's property, which I have discovered under the
floor of this man's study, where he feloniously hid them after denying
their possession."

"Thief and deceiver!" shrieked Andrew Fraser. "You lied your way into my
house! You have now conspired against my dead brother's estate!" He was
shaking as with a palsy in his impotent rage. "And you would rob me!"

"You hardened old scoundrel! I will give you now just half an hour,"
sternly said Major Hardwicke, "to consider the propriety of resigning
instantly your