“But, Mr. Rayner,” I went on gravely and rather timidly, “then such a strange thing happened that I must tell you about it. I put my pendant into my desk--at least, I am almost sure I did--on Saturday night, and next day it was gone.” “Well, we must find you another.” “Oh, no! But this is the strangest part. Just before I left this morning, Mr. Carruthers’s servant put it into my hand, saying he had picked it up on the stairs. And the little shield with the initials was broken off and lost. Isn’t it strange?” “Well, not considering that they were paste. If they had been diamonds, I should say it was very strange that he gave it back again. You careless little puss, you don’t deserve to have any finery at all! What will you do when you have real jewels, if you are not more careful with mock ones?” “Oh, Mr. Rayner, I hope I never shall!” “Do you mean that?” I hesitated. “I mean they seem to be such a heavy responsibility to the ladies who have them.” “I suppose there were some ladies there with jewelry that made your eyes water.” “They didn’t wear much; but I believe some of them had a great deal. One lady--she was the wife of a very rich merchant who wasn’t there--had dazzling diamonds, they said.” “And what was the name of the fortunate lady?” “Mrs. Cunningham.” “What did Mrs. Cunningham think of your pendant?” “She would not believe it was not real, and she scolded me for my carelessness; but I really did--” “I suppose she is very careful of hers?” Mr. Rayner interrupted. “Oh, yes--you don’t know how careful! She has one set, diamonds and cat’s-eyes--” By a sudden movement he trod on Nap’s tail, and the dog howled. I broke off to comfort him. “Go on, go on,” said Mr. Rayner, touching my arm impatiently. “What was I saying? Oh, I know--about Mrs. Cunningham’s jewels. She has one set of what they call cat’s-eyes and large diamonds, which she keeps--” “That she keeps where?” said Mr. Rayner, yawning, as if tired. “Oh, that she keeps always concealed about her person!” said I. “Do you mean it?” he asked, much interested. “Yes, really. She told me so. And nobody in the house, not even her maid, knows where they are. She sleeps with them under her pillow.” Mr. Rayner rose. “Well, I don’t think even the responsibility of diamonds under your pillow would keep you awake to-night, for you must be tired out.” He was fidgeting about the room, as if he were anxious to get to bed too. But he did not look sleepy; his eyes were quite bright and restless. He gave me my candle. “Pleasant dreams of Denham Court, madam, though you don’t deserve them! What business have you to repeat secrets that have been told you in confidence?” “Oh, Mr. Rayner, as if it mattered--to you!” said I, laughing as I left the room. “Yes, it is lucky you told it to me,” he answered, laughing back. CHAPTER XIX.