"I have not done so myself," said Tempest, gravely; "but Mr Pratt, who presented the cup to me, has offered the sum of fifty pounds to whomsoever will give information likely to lead to its recovery. If you know of anything, Mrs Jeal--" "I'll get the reward," said the woman, a greedy light in her small eyes. "Yes, sir, I do know of something. I went up to Battersea, in London, to see my father, who is ill. He is a retired gardener, your reverence, and has invested his savings in a seed shop. My mother is still alive, and she looks after him. They do fairly well out of the shop, and, of course, your reverence, I give them some assistance, as becomes an only child." "This is not to the point, Mrs Jeal!" "I am coming to the point shortly," said the woman, with a look at Leo, who made no remark; "but it is necessary that your reverence should understand how it was that I came to see Mr Haverleigh taking the cup to Old Penny's pawnshop." Leo could bear it no longer, and started to his feet. "It is absolutely false!" he exclaimed passionately. "I did _not_ pawn the cup. I never had it in my possession. I was never in Battersea in my life, and I do not know the name of Penny." "Better wait and hear the story, Leo," said Tempest in a more friendly tone. He was beginning to be impressed by the bearing of the young man. Even in the face of Mrs Jeal's evidence, he thought Leo might be innocent. After all, the evidence was circumstantial, and that is not always to be relied upon. "You shall have every justice," he said, patting Leo's shoulder. "I know what I know," said Mrs Jeal when Leo sat down again. "One evening last week I was out late. I had been to get some medicine for my dear father. In Barry Street there is a pawnshop kept by an old man called Penny. I have known it most of my life. As I passed I saw Mr Haverleigh ahead of me. He did not stop immediately at the shop." "You saw _me_!" cried Leo, bewildered. "How was I dressed?" "In a blue serge suit, with a hard, fawn-coloured hat," said Mrs Jeal, glibly. "Over your arm you carried a coat, and under it you had a parcel. It was the cup." "You are telling a pack of lies!" said Leo, angrily. "How did you know the cup was in the parcel?"