He had, indeed, ventured to throw out a cautioning word, the evening he rode home, (when, just for a moment, he was alone with her) but she had only laughed, asked him if he did not trust her, and, quickly, rejoined the company. On the last evening of the house party, he came over to bid them farewell. Judith was going, on the morrow, with the Snowdens, to spend a week at Montpelier. Sir Edward Parkington, also, had been invited, and was to accompany them--as were Miss Stirling, Captain Herford and Mr. Constable. The rest were returning to their homes. He himself was departing for Annapolis, in the morning, upon business of the Council, and his visit to Hedgely Hall was to be but brief. He encountered Henry Marbury, as he came through the park, and they went, on a little way, together. When they came in sight of the house, Marbury stopped. "Maynadier," he said, "I have something to tell you--can you give me a moment?" "Certainly, sir;" said Maynadier, "as many moments as you wish." Marbury considered a second, as though framing his words. "It is this way," he said. "You have heard of the ransom money I paid the pirates. Well, it was recovered, at the landing, by Captain Jamison, and turned over to me, unopened--at least, he thought so, and my own inspection sustained him. I counted it, the other morning, and it was correct--or, I made it so. Just as I finished, I was called out, hastily, and I left the bags on the table. I forgot them, and did not return until late in the day. Then, something told me to count it again. I did--and found about a hundred guineas missing." "Some of the servants?" said Maynadier. "I think not--none of them would venture to enter my rooms even when the door is open, and it was closed--closed when I left it, and closed when I returned." "Have you no means of identifying the coins?" "None--I never make a list." "What do you think?" asked Maynadier. "I do not know what to think--except, that one of the guests is the pilferer." "Pilferer?" said Maynadier. "You are putting it very mild, if the guilty one be a guest. He is a plain thief. I cannot believe it! It _must_ be one of the servants." "None but the house servants have access to the rooms, and I trust them thoroughly; besides, the thief, to adopt your name, opened my door unbidden, and that, as I said, no servant would have ventured. We are remitted to a guest, sir." "Have you any suspicions?" "None, thank God!" Maynadier looked at him narrowly. "Why do you say, 'thank God!'" "Because I do not want to suspect. I would rather lose half my fortune, than that a guest, in my house, should be suspected. If I had seen him actually take the money, I should do nothing to apprehend him--nor would I permit his apprehension." "Why do you say 'him'--why do you think the thief is a man?" asked Maynadier. "Because I _cannot_ think it a woman. My God! Maynadier, you know these people better than I--could you think one of the women guilty?"