The answer came in Spaulding's voice, and in a moment he sat down.

At the end of ten minutes he hung the receiver on the hook and returned

to find Helene standing by the window, all the light gone from her eyes,

staring out at the hard brilliant scene with an expression of

hopelessness that had relaxed the very muscles of her face.

Ruyler was shocked, and more apprehensive than he had yet been. "Helene!"

he exclaimed. "What is the matter? Surely you may confide in me if you

are in trouble."

"Oh, but I am not," she replied coldly. "Did I look odd? I was just

wondering how many really happy people there were behind those

lights--over on Belvedere, at Sausalito--the lights look so golden and

steady and sure--and glimpses of interiors at night are always so

fascinating--but I suppose most of the people are commonplace and just

dully discontented--"

"Well, I am afraid I have something to tell you that hardly will restore

your delightful gayety of a few moments ago. I am sorry--but--well, the

fact is I must leave for the north to-morrow morning and hardly shall be

able to return before the next night. I am really distressed. I wanted so

much to take you to-morrow night--"

"And I can't wear the ruby?" Her voice was shrill. Ruyler wondered if his

stimulated imagination fancied a note of terror in it.

"I--I--am afraid not--darling--"

"But that Spaulding man will be there to watch--"

"Unfortunately--I forgot to tell you--he cannot go--he is on an important

case. Besides--when I make a promise I usually keep it."

"But--but--" She stammered as if her brain were confused, then turned and

pressed her face to the window. "I suppose nothing matters," she said

dully. "Perhaps you will let me wear my own little ruby. After all, that

was maman's, and she gave it to me before I was married. I should like to

wear one jewel."

"You shall have all your jewels, if you will promise not to give them to

Polly Roberts or any one else."

"I promise."

He went over and opened the safe, and when he rose with the gold jewel

case he saw that she was standing behind him. Once more it flitted

through his mind that she had watched him manipulate the combination

several times, but he had little confidence in any but a professional

thief's ability to memorize such an involved assortment of figures as had

been invented for this particular safe. It was only once in a while that

he was not obliged to refer to the key that he carried in his pocketbook.




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