"If the police came here," said Balkis, before anyone could speak, "not one of them would leave again. These rooms are known to none but those who have gambled here, and when I go to America next week no trace of them will remain." "How do you intend to destroy them?" asked Berry, derisively. The black woman looked at Fan with an evil eye, and smiled slowly. "You may learn that before we part," she said. Frank was growing weary of all this hesitation and of these vague threats. He resolved upon a bold stroke in order to bring Berry to his knees. "I'm sick of this hole-and-corner business," he cried. "Let us do what Darrel suggests. I shall submit to arrest." "Frank!" said Jarman, hurriedly; and Tamaroo also protested. "I intend to give myself up," said Lancaster, determinedly. "Had I not been a moral coward I should have done so in the first instance. I am perfectly innocent of this crime, and I shall stand my trial." But this proposition, as Frank anticipated, was not at all to the taste of Berry. He was about to object when his niece stopped him. With an engaging smile she came forward and took Frank's hand. "Listen to me, my dear," she said sweetly. "You were always my favourite, and I have loved you always. Promise to marry me, and you shall go free to enjoy the money." "Along with you, I suppose?" "Along with me," she answered, still smiling. "It is not hard." "No, but it's impossible, I guess," said Berry, grimly. "I ain't going to let you and Fan skip with the dollars after all my trouble." "And I'm not going to let Lancaster escape," chimed in Darrel. "I want to see him hanged." "He shall never be hanged!" said Tamaroo, much agitated. Eustace, who had his eye on the savage face of Balkis, suddenly addressed Miss Berry. "You say you love Lancaster?" "I do. I have always loved him." "That is untrue. You only want to marry him because you can't get the money in any other way. There is a chance, I see, of you three thieves falling out." He looked scornfully on Berry, Fan, and Darrel. "In that case an honest man, such as Lancaster is, may come by his own." "You talk nonsense," said Fan, doggedly. "I love Frank--" "Pardon me, you loved Starth." Fan objected loudly, while the eyes of Balkis flashed. "I never did, Eustace, I hated him." "You loved Starth," repeated Jarman, mercilessly. "I have it in your own handwriting." Without a word Balkis darted forward, and held out the letter. The other woman laughed. "That is a trick of Mr. Jarman's," she said. "It is not a trick," hissed the negress. "Look you, I loved Walter with all my heart and soul. He would have married me. Yes, you may laugh"--she glared like a brave lioness on Berry and Darrel--"but he would have married me. I loved him, and this white woman stole his love."