"I would suggest," Mr. Early's manner was regaining some of its self-possession, "that you speak of the necklace--is that it in your hand? a really wonderful thing, with curious settings, carved by hand--as I was saying, I would suggest that you speak of it as a gift from the Swami, who, as is well known, was much impressed by your charms. A present from such a creature, who hardly comes into the category of ordinary men, would create no such remark as might a gift from me. Do you not see? We will let the truth remain a little secret between us two. I have an idea that we shall not be likely to see Ram Juna again. I fancy he is a fellow of greater cunning than any of us dreamed; and if he has a little start of the detectives, I doubt if they have so much as a glimpse of his heels; though, to be sure, he is rather a marked figure, and difficult to disguise. Now don't forget. The Swami, with oriental profuseness, gave you the rubies." "You are a dear," gushed Lena. "Oh, I do hope he is gone!" After all, it was a relief that Dick should not know. "One favor I must ask, my dear Mrs. Percival," Mr. Early went on hesitatingly. "If, by any chance, Dick should ever come to know of this, will you assure him that I supposed his signature to be genuine? I wouldn't have him suspect that I--that I was a party--or at least that I knew that you wrote it for him. For really, little woman, it wasn't strictly honest, you know." "I'm afraid it wasn't," Lena confessed with charming blushes. "But I didn't think. I don't know much about such things, you know." "Of course you don't. No nice woman does," said Mr. Early comfortingly. "And now let us forget it." "Here come the officers," said Lena. "It ain't no use," said the captain disgustedly. "He's given us the slip, somehow. And we'd watched the house and made sure we'd nab him." "What are you going to do?" asked Mr. Early. "Take his kit, and set guards and send telegraph descriptions of him in all directions. 'Taint likely he can get clean away. He'll be a marked man wherever he goes." "If there is anything I can do to help you," said Mr. Early grandiloquently, "you can command me, though you may imagine that it is very offensive to me to be mixed up in this kind of affair." "Well, rather," said the officer dryly. Then, seeing the flush rising on Mr. Early's face, he went on with the patronage of the majesty of the law: "You needn't fear that you'll suffer any personal inconvenience. We've had you under surveillance for a long time--ever since we began to suspect your nigger friend; and we know you are all right." But the assurance seemed to add to Mr. Early's discomfiture. "Looks as if it was going to blow up a storm. A dark night would be a good thing for him and a nuisance to us. But we'll catch him sure."