The waning moon gave sufficient light to show the black slimy surface of the ditch. An irregularly shaped hole immediately below the window showed where Vane had alighted. Footprints distinct enough indicated the direction taken. "If you're not satisfied search the house." "I'll take your word. Who's your friend? You wouldn't lift your little finger to save a stranger." "Who's the girl?" Sally parried in a flash. "What's she like?" Rofflash had sharp wits. Cunning was part of his trade. "Ho ho," he thought. "Sits the wind in that quarter? I'll steer accordingly." "The girl? As tempting as Venus and a good deal livelier, I'll swear. 'Faith, she's one worth fighting for. I'll do her gallant justice. If he's as handy with his blade as he is with his fists he'll be a pretty swordsman. He'll need all he knows, though," added Rofflash darkly, "when I meet him." "Yes, when!" echoed Sally sarcastically. "You'll get no help from me." "What! Sally Salisbury handing over the man she fancies to another woman? Is the world coming to an end?" Rofflash burst into a jeering laugh. It irritated Sally beyond endurance as he intended it should. But it did not provoke the reply he hoped for. "Mind your own business," she snapped. "Why, that's what I'm doing and _my_ business is _yours_. But if you're fool enough to chuck away a handful of guineas, why do it. All I can say is that _my_ man would give you anything you like to ask if you'd open your mouth and tell him where _your_ man is." "Then I won't. That's my answer, Jeremy Rofflash. Put it in your pipe and smoke it." Rofflash made her a profound bow and smiled mockingly. "Have your own way, mistress. What about this? Something more in your line, I'll warrant." He thrust his hand beneath the upper part of his long flapped waistcoat and drew out a necklace. The pearls of which it was composed were suffused with a pinkish tinge, the massive gold clasp gleamed in the lamplight. Sally's eyes flashed momentarily and then became scornful. "I'm not going to be bribed by _that_ either," she cried. "Wait till you're asked, my dear. This is my business alone. It has nought to do with t'other. A week ago these pearls were round the fair neck of my Lady Wendover. I encountered her in her coach on the Bath Road near Maidenhead Thicket--my favourite trysting place with foolish dames who travel with their trinkets and fal-lals. At the sight of my barkers her ladyship screamed and fainted. This made things as easy as an old glove. Click! and the necklace was in my pocket and I was galloping back to Hounslow as if Old Nick himself was behind me." "Well, and what have your highway robberies to do with me?" "Just this, pretty one. My Lord Wendover's offered L1,000 reward for the return of her Ladyship's jewels. I dursn't hand 'em about. I've no fancy for the hangman's rope. But _you_ can get rid of them and no one be the wiser."