“I mean that somehow he has managed to establish a new identity. I don’t know how he has accomplished it, but if I read him correctly, he has practically made himself over into a new being, and established beyond a doubt—that is, a present doubt—that he is that person.” “But how could he do that?” “I don’t know—at the present time; but some day I shall make it my business to look into the matter; after we have got the present predicament off our hands.” “You admit, then, that it is a predicament?” “Decidedly so.” “Will you tell me in just what way it is a predicament?” “Jimmy has practically defied me. Out there in the summerhouse I actually put the handcuffs on him, thinking that he might weaken; but not a bit of it. He was as cool as a cucumber. He not only insisted that he could prove the death of Jimmy Duryea, but that he could prove his own identity as Ledger Dinwiddie. He actually dared me to arrest him—and under the circumstances I thought it best not to do so—till later. Nan, where is the room you occupy in this house?” “I have a suite of three rooms. They are in the south wing. Why?” “I want to go to them. I want to examine them—thoroughly.” “Why?” “Because I think that Jimmy has hidden those jewels there.” “What; in my rooms?” “Yes.” “Why should he do that?” “Can’t you guess?” “I’m afraid not. I——” “When he found that you had gone to the city with Mrs. Remsen, his first thought must have been one of panic, for he guessed that you would go straight to me with the story about him. The fact that he remained here, was perfectly cool when I arrived, and thoroughly the master of himself, is proof to anybody who knows Jimmy that he had prepared to strike back, and strike hard, if anything happened after your return.” She nodded, and Nick continued: “When you returned, nothing happened; but there is no doubt that he expected me, and was not in the least surprised when I appeared on the scene. Do you remember what he said when we were discussing the theft of the jewels?” “Yes. About a woman having taken them? He meant me, did he not?” “Surely. I understood it at the time, but he made it more plain, later on, in the summerhouse. He almost openly threatened you, in case anything happened to him.” “With a revelation of my past, do you mean?” “Worse than that. With accusing you directly with stealing the jewels, and proving it.” “By finding them in my possession? Do you mean that?” “Yes.” “That is why you would like to search my rooms?” “Yes.” “Do you really think that he would have taken the risk of hiding them in my rooms?” “Nan, Jimmy Duryea will stop at nothing to carry his point. He has come here, resolved to marry Theodore Remsen’s daughter. He has made that daughter fall in love with him, and he can render himself a most lovable chap, if he has the mind to do so.”