Sanders being a private detective, not a member of the police, considered that his obligation was to his employers, not to the public. He was going to leave the decision to Captain Manners and the Duchess--who were paying for his services. If they and the Duke wanted to pack the lot to prison, at the price of a big scandal, well and good. If, on the contrary, the culprits were to be let off and silence kept, it was the same to him. Later, when he learned by telephone from Manners what had happened in the _Inner Circle_ building, he did not change his mind. He obeyed instructions and ordered the Duchess's car to go there at once. Fortunately night had fallen and the Duke, in any sort of toilet, could easily be smuggled home. "Claremanagh has the pearls," 'phoned Jack. "And he'll soon be fit again--the two principal things. These blighters have got a dead man here--Markoff--but they've a doctor's certificate testifying that he died of heart failure. Arrangements have been made to bury him to-morrow. We think, on the whole, that the dead past had best bury _its_ dead, too! No great crime has actually been done, as it turns out. But the scandal would be great, for a number of innocent ones who don't deserve it. What?" Sanders grinned quietly. He guessed _which_ innocent one was most in Manners' thoughts! "Right!" he said. "Though it seems a pity that d--d _Inner Circle_ should get off scot free." "Oh, I forgot to tell you. It won't. Pat not only found the pearls, but overheard such a lot he's in a position to turn blackmailer. He's held up the rotters. They've had to sign a paper swearing to mend their ways. Lowndes is one of them; there's an Irishman--compatriot of Pat's--from a London rag, who slugged him. And the _editor_--Gee! you'd _never_ guess who _he's_ turned out to be." "But I know!" said the detective. "Well, anyhow, he's going to transform the _Inner Circle_ into a sort of _Inner Shrine_, if he keeps his promise. Lord! Won't the next number be a sensation?" "Yes--make up to the public a bit for losing the truth about the great pearl secret." Jack laughed joyfully--his first happy laugh for weeks. And then, even from that unblest place, the flat of Madame Veno, he could not omit calling up Lyda, at her house. She was at home, and answered: "Oh, I'm thankful to hear your voice. Is all well with the Duchess?" "Yes, also with the Duke." "He's found?" "Yes. _And_ the pearls. So all's well with everyone except me." "Why not with you?" "How can it be till you give me that promise?" "But--since these things have happened, it's yours already. And--so am I. You are _the_ man. I am _the_ woman!" "My goddess!" cried Jack through the uncongenial telephone. "I'm coming to you the instant I'm free. Juliet and Pat send you their love. You've got all mine already." THE END * * * * * BOOKS BY C. N. & A. M. WILLIAMSON