The Broad Highway

And, after I had sought vainly for some time, I raised my head

and looked at Charmian, to find her regarding me with a very

strange expression.

"What is it?" I inquired. "Have you found the needle?" Charmian

sat back on her heels, and laughed softly.

"Oh, yes, I've found the needle, Peter, that is--I never lost it."

"Why, then--what--what did you mean--?"

For answer, she raised her hand and pointed to my breast. Then,

glancing hurriedly down, I saw that the locket had slipped

forward through the bosom of my shirt, and hung in plain view. I

made an instinctive movement to hide it, but, hearing her laugh,

looked at her instead.

"So this was why you asked me to stoop to find your needle?"

"Yes, Peter."

"Then you--knew?"

"Of course I knew."

"Hum!" said I. A distant clock chimed eleven, and Charmian began

to fold away her work, seeing which, I rose, and took up my

candle. "And--pray--"

"Well?"

"And, pray," said I, staring hard at the flame of my candle, "how

did you happen to--find out--?"

"Very simply--I saw the riband round your neck days ago. Good

night, Peter!"

"Oh," said I. "Good night!"