“‘None whatever, Mr. Maitland,’ he answered gravely. ‘Your son caught me fair and square.’ “And it seemed to me that Tom made an effort to speak, though no words came from his lips. “‘You damned scoundrel!’ cried Maitland. ‘You come to my house—you make love to my daughter—and then you abuse my hospitality by trying to steal my wife’s jewellery!’ “It was at that moment that the girl came in. I saw Digby catch his breath and lean against the wall for support; then he straightened up and faced his host again. Just once had he glanced at her, with her glorious hair falling over her shoulders and a startled look of wonder in her great eyes. Then resolutely he looked away. “‘What’s happened, Daddy?’ she whispered. ‘I heard your voice and——’ “‘This has happened, my dear,’ said Maitland grimly. ‘We have been privileged to discover Mr. Digby’s method of earning a livelihood.’ He pointed to the open safe. ‘He apparently ingratiates himself with people for the express purpose of stealing their valuables. In other words, a common thief.’ “‘I don’t believe it!’ she flashed out, imperiously. ‘Jack—a thief! How can you say such a thing?’ “‘Then may I ask what he was doing when your brother discovered him by the open safe? Besides, he admits it himself.’ “‘Jack!’ The cry seemed to come from the very depths of her soul. ‘Say it’s a lie!’ “For one second he hesitated; then he spoke quite steadily, though he didn’t look at her. “‘I am afraid, Miss Maitland—that I can’t say it’s untrue.’ “And then there fell one of those silences that can be felt. She was staring at Jack Digby, was the girl—staring at him with a great amazement dawning on her face. “‘Jack,’ she whispered, ‘look at me!’ “He raised his eyes and looked at her, and a little pulse was beating just above his jaw. Then, after what seemed an interminable time, she gave a little laugh that was half a sob and turned away. “‘I see,’ she said below her breath. ‘I see.’ “But what it was she saw, I didn’t at the moment realise. It was to be made clear a little later.” The Doctor paused and threw a log on the fire. “Yes, I found out later what she thought,” he went on after a while, “and for the first and probably the last time in my life I was guilty of a breach of professional confidence. It was about half an hour later that I went round to Jack Digby’s room. Maitland, after thinking it over—and it is possible that I had something to do with his decision—had dismissed the idea of sending for the police. Digby was to clear out by the first train next morning, and was never to make an attempt to communicate with the girl again. And Jack Digby had bowed in silence and gone to his own room. He wouldn’t look at me as he passed; I think he knew that he hadn’t deceived me. “He was sitting by the open window when I went in, still in his evening clothes, and he looked round with a start as I entered. His face was drawn and grey. “‘My dear chap,’ I said, before he could speak, ‘is it worth while?’