"I--I spent some of the money for the ring for Ida," he went on. "Yes, and for that reason, as much as for any other--because I knew you were only a shade removed from a thief--I threw it away!" burst out Ida. "When?" asked Sid, much astonished. "The same night when, masked as a nun, I slipped back the bonds into Ed's pocket--as you asked me to." "So that's how they got there!" exclaimed Ed. "Then, when Ida came and told me a little while ago about Lem," went on Sid after a pause, "I knew the game was up. He was getting desperate, and he's liable to send word to the police at any moment, accusing me, and I don't want to be arrested." He seemed very anxious. "Now here is your ten thousand dollars back," he said to Ed, handing him a roll of bills. "I managed to get from my folks the amount I had used, including the sum for the--the diamond ring, and what I had to give Lem." "What's become of him?" asked Jack. "I guess he's skipped out," answered Sid. "After holding up Ida it won't be safe for him to linger too close to these parts." "I should say not," commented Cora. "Now, will you take this money, and--and call it square?" asked Sid nervously. "Hardly square," murmured Jack. "Look at the suspicions about my sister--" "Hush, Jack," pleaded Cora, looking at Ida, who was weeping. "I think the best way will be to call the incident a closed one," decided Ed. "I'll take the money, and--" "What will you tell the police?" asked Jack. "I'll tell them the money came back to me in a mysterious way." "They may want to claim the reward." "They can't. There is only one person who will get the reward, and she is--" He paused and walked over until he stood in front of Ida, who sat with bowed head. "Miss Giles, it is due to you, more than to any, one, that this mystery is solved," he said: "Will you please accept the reward?" and he took some bills off the roll Sid had handed him. "I couldn't oh, I couldn't!" she sobbed. Ed looked embarrassed. Every one was under a strain. Jack went to the safe and took out the diamond ring. "I guess that comes back to you," he said to Sid, "as long as you've made up to Ed the whole sum." Sid took it hesitatingly. Then with a quick motion he stepped up to Ed. "Here," he exclaimed, "this belongs to you." "What for?" "Interest on your money. It's more than the ring cost, maybe, considering the loss on the bank stock, but I'll make it up later." "No," said Ed after a moment's thought "We'll call it settled." He held the ring in his hand and went over to the weeping girl. "Will you--will you accept this for what you have done for me--for all of us?" he asked gently. Ida looked up through--her tears. Then she shook her head. "Let me give it to her," whispered Cora, and Ed handed over the sparkling gem. "Take it from me, Ida," whispered Jack's sister. "Let it be a pledge of--of whatever you like."