"I said I would do it. But it was terribly conspicuous. Everybody would

notice when it was gone. He said I must conceal it anyhow until we

unmasked after supper, and then I could pretend I had lost it. He

discussed several plans for having me slip it to him, but it was Aileen

who insisted we should come here. Mrs. Thornton never opens her boudoir

at a party. Everywhere else would be a blaze of light. In this dark

corner we should be safe, especially if he came from the outside and I

from inside. How did your detective find out?"

"I think Aileen did a decent thing for once in her life."

She went on in her monotonous voice. "I felt reckless after that and I

really was gay and almost happy at dinner last night. The die was cast. I

didn't much care for anything. I thought perhaps it was my last night

with you--that when I told you I had lost the ruby you would suspect and

turn me out of your house, tell maman to take me back to Rouen.

"Then came that awful moment when you said you had to go away and I could

not wear it. For a few moments I thought I should scream and tell you

everything. But I was both too proud and too much of a coward. Then I

knew I should have to rob the safe, and somehow I hated that part more

than anything else. I did it just ten minutes before Rex and Polly called

for me to motor down here. It had seemed the most horrible thing in the

world to be a gambler, but it was worse to be a thief.

"I remembered the combination perfectly. I have that sort of memory: it

registers photographically. I had seen you move the combination several

times. Perhaps I deliberately registered it. I can't say. I have lived in

such a maze of intrigue lately. I can't say. That is all--except that I

didn't get the letters and the other things."

"He had an envelope in one hand. Spaulding has it beyond a doubt."




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