Page:Rowland--The closing net.djvu/157

Rh "That you stole Edith's pearls," says she, pushing out her square little chin.

"So much the better for John," I remarked.

A spasm of anger went across her face.

"Yes," she answered, "so much the better for John, perhaps. But it is not so much the better for you, Mr. Clamart. Now listen to me. I don't like to make threats, but I will not stand quietly by and see the happiness of my friends wrecked by such a man as you. I felt from the first that this experiment was foolish and dangerous, but I did think that you would at least spare your benefactors. But since you appear to be dead to all sense of finer feeling, I mean to act. If those pearls are not restored within forty-eight hours, I will tell what I know."

"And what is that?" I asked.

She gave her handsome head a toss. "It is quite enough," she answered; and turning on her heel, walked out of the summer-house and took the path to the house.