Page:Rowland--The closing net.djvu/31

Rh We found it just where Ivan had said. It was a clumsy, old-fashioned box. Léontine held the light on it from my little pocket-lamp, and it needed only a few minutes work before I had it open. The gold and silver stuff was all there, every bit of it solid, and as soon as I had stowed it in the sack I forced the little drawers, and sure enough, here were the jewels—a splendid rope of pearls, a tiara of brilliants, and a lot of small pieces, rings, brooches, and the like. In no time we had the safe stripped of everything that we wanted.

"Now let's go," I whispered. "We've licked the cream off this jug!"

But the sight of the jewels had got Léontine excited.

"There must be some more jewellery upstairs," says she. "Let's get all that there is."

"No," said I. "It's not worth the risk. We are well paid for the job. Let's get away."

"But I want the rest," she whispered. "And I want the fun of getting it. This has been too easy." She moved toward the door. "Come, let's go up."

I slipped my arm around her waist and drew her back. "Don't be silly," said I. "That is the way people get in trouble. We've had our lark and made a good haul; don't spoil it all."

I was drawing her gently back as I spoke. She yielded a little at first. Suddenly she turned, with a low, whispering laugh, threw both her arms around my neck, and drew my face to hers. I felt her rich lips against mine.

"Now can I have my way, Frank?" says she, with a low, gurgling little laugh.