“No, I haven’t,” snapped Bob. That truth pact made it necessary to answer the most silly questions. “Well, I didn’t know but you had,” murmured the temperamental young thing. “I heard a dog barking and that made me think you might have them. You’re sure you didn’t let anybody into the house?” “I didn’t.” Miss Dolly snuggled herself together more cozily. She seemed about to ask some more questions. Perhaps she would want to know if he had let anybody out, and then he would have to tell her— “Look here,” said Bob desperately. “Maybe it hasn’t occurred to you, but—this—this isn’t exactly proper. Me here, like this, and you—” “Oh, I’m not afraid,” answered Miss Dolly with wonderful assurance. “I can quite take care of myself.” “But—but—” more desperately—“if I should be discovered?—Can’t you see, for your own sake—?” “My own sake?” The big innocent eyes opened wider. “In that case, of course, I’d tell them the truth.” “The truth!” How he hated the word! “You mean that I—?” Glancing toward the brooch. “Of course!” Tranquilly. Bob tried to consider. He could see what would happen to him, if they were interrupted. It certainly was a most preposterous conversation, anyhow. Besides, it wasn’t the place or the time for a conversation of any kind. He had just about made up his mind that he would go, whether she screamed or not, and take the consequences, however disagreeable they might be, when— “Well, trot along,” said Miss Dolly graciously. “I suppose you’ve got a lot of work to do to-night and it’s rather unkind to detain you. Only pick up the brooch before you go.” He obeyed. “Now put it on the dresser and leave it there. Hard to do that, isn’t it?” “No, it isn’t.” Savagely. “Well, you can go now. By the way, Mrs. Vanderpool has a big bronze-colored diamond surrounded by wonderful pink pearls. It’s an antique and—would adorn a connoisseur’s collection.” “But I tell you I am not—” “My! How stupid, to keep on saying that! But, of course, you must really be very clever. Society-highwaymen always are. Good night. So glad I was thinking of something else and forgot to lock the door!” Bob went to the door and she considerately waited until he had reached it; then she put out a hand and pushed a convenient button which shut off the light. Bob opened the door but closed it quickly again. He fancied he saw some one out there in the hall, a shadowy form in the distance, but was not absolutely sure. “Aren’t you gone?” said the temperamental young thing. “S-sh!” said Bob.