A string of vile expletives followed this statement as the bound man strove feebly to wrench his hand from the firm grasp which held it. At this, a little cry burst from the lips of Dr. Verrall, and again Cleek smiled. "You jumped to the conclusion too quickly that it was Miss Jennifer's ring, Doctor," he said, softly. "Not even a strong woman could have subjugated a man like Blake." Dr. Verrall gave a little groan as he met Cleek's quizzical eyes, but Jennifer, who was standing near, stared at him in open-mouthed amazement. Then she said almost under her breath: "Oh, Edgar, you thought that I--that it was poor old Dad's ring on my hand. Is that why you wanted me to put it away?" Swiftly Dr. Verrall turned to her and even as he did so, the attention of the people around was speedily withdrawn, for the door of the room was opened, and Mr. Narkom stood in the doorway. "Was I right?" said Cleek, a trifle anxiously. "Right as a trivet," was the complacent reply. "And here she is----" He stepped aside, and then a cry arose, for framed in the doorway, pale and worn, but otherwise unharmed, stood the missing heiress, Lady Margaret Cheyne herself! A scramble ensued, but it was Sir Edgar who reached her first, and disregarding the surging crowd around them gathered her bodily into his arms. "Margaret, my darling!" he said in a choked, broken voice. Cleek smiled. "You found her where I said?" he asked, addressing the Superintendent who stood breathless but triumphant beside him. The query reduced the roomful of people to a state of breathless silence as Mr. Narkom nodded vigorously. "Yes," said he, briskly. "She was in Gunga Dall's house, and bound and gagged, poor child, although she seems to have recovered herself very well now." He smiled at her as she stood crimson and shy beside the upright figure of her lover, and she gave him a smile in return. "Yes," she said in a soft voice, looking up into Sir Edgar's eyes, "I am perfectly recovered, thank you!... No, Edgar, you mustn't," as that gentleman sprang forward in Gunga Dall's direction and made as if to attack him; "he will meet with the justice he deserves, dear, soon enough." "Well said," threw in Cleek with an approving smile at this philosophical young person, "I agree with Sir Edgar's sentiments, Lady Margaret, so long as they _remain_ sentiments and nothing else. But now what about that story which we are all waiting so breathlessly for? Do you feel up to relating your adventures, just to clear away the curiosity which I see written on every face?" He set a chair for her and she thanked him with a gesture. Seating herself, she blushed crimson at the sight of the crowd that surrounded her. "Of course I will tell you my story," she began in a low voice, "but first of all I want you to believe that I did not kill that man. I truly did not!" "What man, my dear young lady?" asked the startled Coroner before any one else could speak.