"Because Mr. Gerard asked me not to say he had been, sir. He is not friendly here, just now; and I promised him I would not. And I am sorry to have had to break my word." "Who is Mr. Gerard, pray?" "He is my nephew," interposed the checkmated colonel. "Gerard Hope." "But, as Thomas says, he is no swindler," remarked Lady Sarah: "he is not the thief. You may go, Thomas." "No, sir," stormed the colonel; "fetch Miss Dalrymple here first. I'll come to the bottom of this. If he has done it, Lady Sarah, I will bring him to trial: though he is Gerard Hope." Alice came back, leaning on the arm of Lady Frances Chenevix; the latter having been dying with curiosity to come in before. "So the mystery is out, ma'am," began the colonel, to Miss Dalrymple: "it appears this gentleman was right, and that somebody did come in. And that somebody was the rebellious Mr. Gerard Hope." Alice was prepared for this, for Thomas had told her Mr. Gerard's visit was known; and she was not so much agitated as before. It was the fear of its being found out, the having to conceal it which had troubled her. "It is not possible that Gerard can have taken the bracelet," said Lady Sarah. "No, it is not possible," replied Alice. "And that is why I was unwilling to mention his having come up." "What did he come for?" thundered the colonel. "It was not an intentional visit. I believe he only followed the impulse of the moment. He saw me at the front window; and Thomas, it appears, was standing at the door. He ran across, and came up." "I think you might have said so, Alice," observed Lady Sarah, in a stiff tone. "Knowing he had been forbidden the house, I did not wish to bring him under the colonel's displeasure," was all the excuse Alice could offer. "It was not my place to tell of it." "I presume he approached sufficiently near the bracelets to touch them, had he wished?" observed the officer, who of course had now made up his mind upon the business--and upon the thief. "Y--es," returned Alice, wishing she could have said "No." "Did you notice the bracelet there, after he was gone?" "I cannot say I did. I followed him from the room when he left, and then I went into the front-room, so that I had no opportunity of observing the bracelets." "The doubt is solved," was the mental comment of the detective officer. The colonel, hot and hasty, sent several servants various ways in search of Gerard Hope. He was speedily found, and brought; coming in with a smile on his frank, good-looking face. "Take him into custody, officer," was the colonel's impetuous command.