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136 that I have not noticed it," said she, quietly. "I hate the idea of nagging, Frank, so I have waited for a culmination which would make my protest unavoidable. Now it has come. John is dead drunk in his own drawing-room, for the first time in his life. He cannot be awakened. He is a kind husband and a very proud man, and I have no fear but that the remorse which follows this will effect the result I want. John will pass me his word and like yourself, Frank, he keeps his word. A family trait." She smiled.

Now what do you think of that? Here were the two string of pearls stolen and my tracks and handkerchief found. Yet this woman's faith in me was as firm and unwavering as ever. And her own pearls were still missing. For the moment I could hardly speak.

"This has been hard on us all, Frank," Edith went on. "It has been hard on John, because he is a practical sort of person and inclined to look at matters from their results. To be frank, I think that it is the worry of these thefts which is accountable for his condition."

"Does he suspect me?" I asked.

"No. He is very worried, though, over the whole affair."

"And Miss Dalghren?" I asked.

"She is less charitable. She refuses to believe that you are not in some way interested. When I pointed out that nobody as adroit as yourself would go tramping about a flower-bed with shoes having a design stamped on the sole, or would have dropped a handkerchief in her room, she said: I don't be-