Page:Moonfleet - John Meade Falkner.pdf/241

 stole away the jewel," I whispered sharp; and looking wildly round in the still night, saw the lattice of lamplight shining through the wooden blinds of the balcony window.

"Well, there's an end of it," said he, "and we are saved further question. 'Tis gone, so let us cry good riddance to it and be off." So he turned to go back, and there was one more chance for me to choose the better way and go with him; but still I could not give the jewel up, and must go farther on the other path which led to ruin for us both. For I had my eyes fixed on the light coming through the blinds of that window, and saw how thick and strong the boughs of the pear-tree were trained against the wall about the balcony.

"Elzevir," I said, swallowing the bitter disappointment which rose in my throat, "I cannot go till I have seen what is doing in that room above. I will climb to the balcony and look in through the chinks. Perhaps he is not there. Perhaps he has left our diamond there, and we may get it back again." So I went straight to the house, not giving him time to raise a word to stop me, for there was something in me driving me on, and I was not to be stopped by any one from that purpose.

There was no need to fear any seeing us, for all the windows, except that one, were tight shuttered, and though our footsteps on the soft lawn woke no sound, I knew that Elzevir was following me. It was no easy task to climb the pear-tree, for all that the boughs looked so strong, for they lay close against the wall, and gave little hold for hand or foot. Twice or more an unripe pear was broken off, and fell rustling down through the leaves to earth, and I paused and waited