After dinner, they left the table d'hôte for a private room, to which a bottle of choice claret was ordered. Talking together of past times, the subject of the lost bracelet came up. Sir Francis, listening attentively to what Gerard said, looking at him keenly as he said it, drew the absolute conclusion that Gerard was not the thief: he was quick at distinguishing truth from falsehood. "Gerard," he quietly asked, "why have you remained so long abroad? It bears a look, you see, to some people, that you are afraid to come back and face the charge." "It's not that," returned Gerard. "What I can't face is my body of creditors. They would pretty soon lay hold of me, if I went over. As to the other affair, what could I do in it? Nothing. My uncle will never believe me not guilty; and I could not prove that I am innocent." "Fill your glass, Gerard. How much do you owe?" "Well, it must be as much, I'm afraid, as five hundred pounds." "Is that all?" spoke Sir Francis, rather slightingly. Gerard laughed. "Not much to many a man; but a very great deal to a poor one. I don't know that I should be much better off at home than here," he added in a thoughtful tone. "So long as that bracelet affair lies in doubt, the world will look askance at me: and I expect it will never be cleared up." "It was a most singular thing, quite a mystery, as Lady Sarah always calls it. I suppose you have no suspicion yourself, Gerard, as to the culprit." "Why, yes, I have, unfortunately." Sir Francis caught at the words. "Who was it?" Gerard Hope's pale face, so much paler than of yore, turned red. But that he had been in a reverie he would not have made the unguarded admission. "I am sorry to have said so much, Sir Francis," he avowed hastily. "It is true that a doubt lies on my mind; but I ought not to have spoken of it." "Nay, but you may trust me, Gerard." "I don't like to," hesitated Gerard. "It was of a lady. And perhaps I was mistaken." "Not Alice herself," cried Sir Francis, jestingly. "No, no. I--think--Alice--holds--the--same--suspicion," he added, with a pause between each word. "You had better trust me, Gerard. No harm shall come of it, to you or to her; I promise you that." "I thought," breathed Gerard, "it was Selina Dalrymple." "Selina Dalrymple!" echoed Sir Francis, utterly surprised. "Since when have you thought that?" "Ever since." "But why?" "Well, partly because no one but myself and Selina went into the room; and I know that it was not I who took it. And partly because her visit to the house that evening was kept secret. Her name, as I dare say you know, was never spoken of at all in connection with the matter. Alice did not say she had been there, and of course I did not." "But how do you know she was there?"