"Oh, rubbish," said Hale crossly. "I received a letter from Charvington in London just before I came down to Cookham which stated that if I restored the jewels everything would be hushed up." "And you will do so?" "I have to," said Hale grudgingly. "It's an infernal nuisance after all my trouble, but Charvington says that he will set the police on my track if I don't act square. I shall return the jewels to-morrow, and then everything will be put right. There is no disgrace to you." "Isn't there?" said Lesbia, with a bitter laugh. "You appear to have forgotten that Bertha, the maid, heard my recognition of you, and told her mistress. Lady Charvington accused me of being your accomplice, and but that our cousin made her hold her tongue and silenced the maid, I should have been arrested as knowing your rogueries and sharing in them." Hale muttered an oath between his teeth. "Upon my word that's too bad," he said half apologetically. "The woman had no right to speak of you in that way, as you are as innocent as a babe. However, if Charvington has hushed that up also, there is no harm done." "Father," cried Lesbia, moving forward to confront him, "can you think that I will consent to live with you, now that I know of your wickedness?" "What do you know, other than that I took Lady Charvington's jewels?" asked her father, defiantly. "I know that you stole Mr. Tait's jewels by his direction." "Who dares to say that?" demanded Hale, starting fiercely to his feet. "Mr. Canning----" "Mister," sneered Hale, savagely, "since when has he earned such respect." "Mr. Canning is a gentleman and Captain Sargent's brother," said Lesbia in calm, easy tones. Now that she had come to close grips with her father she felt singularly cool. Hale muttered a second oath. "I knew that The Shadow had betrayed us," he said ominously; "well, he shall pay for his treachery. His silly gratitude to you for nursing him has made him dishonourable to us." "Dishonourable!" cried Lesbia, scornfully. "Why not?" scoffed her father, "There is honour amongst thieves." "And _you_ are a thief." "I am," said Hale, shamelessly. "I was driven to such courses because I wanted money. You may as well know the worst, for I----" "Oh!" Lesbia threw up her hand, feeling sick at heart. "Don't tell me any more. Leave this house and never see me again." Hale settled himself firmly in his chair. "I will do nothing of the sort," he declared; "this is my house, whatever Charvington may say. Here I am and here I rest. There's a French soldier's saying for you," he sneered. "Oh," Lesbia sighed as she looked up, "will nothing make this man ashamed?" "Nothing!" Hale put his legs up on another chair, "absolutely nothing."