"I don't wonder at it. Did she refuse to give it up?" "Yes; although she was wearing it at the time. I told her then that if she did not give it up to me for Arthur, I should search for Dean and tell him where she was. Indeed," added Edith, reflectively, "I am not sure but what I did not say that I knew where Dean was." "But you did not?" said Gebb, looking at her keenly. "No, certainly not," she rejoined hastily; "but I said so to frighten Miss Gilmar. She was terrified, and implored me not to take the necklace or tell Dean; but I knew that I was acting rightly, so in the end she gave me the necklace, which I put into my pocket, and left at once." "About what time?" "About half-past nine, I think. Miss Gilmar seemed anxious to get me away from the house, and almost pushed me out of the front door, which she locked after me. I then went to the Town Hall; but as Arthur was in one of the front seats, and the lecturer was speaking, I did not wish to create a disturbance by joining him, so I sat down near the door. I had some conversation with the doorkeeper as to where Mr. Ferris was seated; so if you ask him, he'll tell you that I sat near him until the lecture concluded, at half-past ten o'clock. Then Arthur joined me in much alarm, as he thought I had got into trouble. We returned to London, where I gave him the necklace, and told him to pawn it and pay his debts. I slept at the Grosvenor Hotel, near the Victoria Station, and Arthur went back to his rooms in Chelsea. So you see, Mr. Gebb, both he and I are quite innocent." "It seems so," said the cautious Gebb, not committing himself. "It is so," insisted Edith, haughtily. "The doorkeeper can tell you that both Mr. Ferris and myself were in the Town Hall before and after ten, and it was about that time Miss Gilmar was murdered." "Was any one with her when you called?" "No. I told you she was alone; but there was wine on a small table, and with that, and the way she pushed me out, I was sure she expected some one." "Did you meet any one in the street going there?" "Not a soul. I saw no one. Everybody in Grangebury seemed to be at the lecture." "Did you write and tell Mr. Ferris about my visit to you?" "Yes, I did; and warned him not to pawn the necklace, as he might be suspected. But it was too late, for he pawned it the day after I gave it to him. But he is innocent, as you see, Mr. Gebb. Surely he will be released." "When his trial takes place he will," said Gebb. "He would have been let off before if he had told this story to the magistrate." "Ah!" said Edith, in a low voice, "he held his peace for my sake. Good, brave Arthur! No wonder I love him." CHAPTER XVIII WHAT MRS. PRESK FOUND