"Oh yes. I forgot that you knew all about that matter." "I know more than you think, since I have seen Lady Watson." Ruck started. "She told you nothing?" he said in vexed tones. "Everything--even to the fact that she was about to run away with you on the night my father was murdered." Ruck's brow grew dark, and he uttered something which was not exactly a blessing. However, he speedily recovered his good humour, and asked for a second cup of tea, which Beatrice just as good-humouredly handed to him. It was an odd interview. "Well," said Beatrice after a pause, "and what do you wish to see me about, Major? I don't want to stay long." "You seem to forget that you are in my power," said Ruck, nettled by this coolness. "Oh no, I don't; but I am not afraid. Come now, Major, you can speak glibly enough when it suits you. I pay you the compliment of saying that you don't want to make love?" "I don't. All the same, I admire you so much that I am mighty near insisting upon your becoming my wife. We have a clergyman who belongs to the Black Patch Gang, you know." "Ah! Then you are a member of that Gang?" "Yes," said the Major, with an embarrassed air. "I am a poor gentleman, who has taken to bad ways instead of earning an honest living." "That is a pity," replied Beatrice, "for, in spite of your behaviour, Major, I like you. I wish you would turn over a new leaf." "I doubt if I have one to turn," muttered Ruck, flushing a brick-red at her words. "However, if you will give me that necklace, I shall try and lead a better life. I have to," he confessed candidly, "as I don't mind telling you that the course of the Black Patch Gang is nearly run. The police have got to know too much, and at any moment may raid us." "I have not got the necklace," said Beatrice coldly. "I know that. Maud Carr had it, and told me how her father had found it. But instead of giving it to me, she passed it along to your mother." "To whom," said Beatrice with emphasis, "it rightfully belongs." "Well, yes; but also it belongs to me. Lady Watson will not give it to me, but she will to you. And, as a matter of fact, your father the Colonel left you the necklace." "You contradict yourself, Major: you said it belonged to my mother." "Possession is nine points of the law," said the big man, with a shrug, "and Lady Watson has the necklace, sure enough. But you can insist on her giving it to you, and then hand it to me. I'll vanish out of your life and trouble you no more. There is a wide field for the exercise of a gentleman's abilities in the States." "And suppose I decline?" asked Beatrice disdainfully. "In that case," replied Ruck, regarding her attentively, "I shall be compelled to accuse Mr. Vivian Paslow of having murdered Alpenny." "That is a lie," cried Beatrice, starting to her feet. "It is the truth," retorted the Major, "the real truth." CHAPTER XXIII NEMESIS