"The situation was unusual. You probably learned of Majendie’s failure and you plunged on the short side." "But why not do so openly?" she said calmly. He hesitated. "Do you really want me to answer that?" he said finally. "We are not mincing words." "You were not engaged to Mr. Slade at that moment," he began. "How do you know?" "I do know. The one thing in your interview with me I particularly remember was your anxiety that Mr. Slade should know nothing." She remained thoughtful, bracing her fingers against each other, carefully considering what he had shown he knew. "And your theory is that I took the ring the second time," she said, "when whoever first took it had thrown it on the table, that I called in detectives to make Slade believe it had been stolen, so that I could gamble in Wall Street without being suspected." "Exactly," he said. "I have no means of knowing who took it first, but I would gamble my soul you took it the second time. For another reason: any one who took it knew he faced a search—that it was almost impossible to get it out of the room. The only person who could take it without being suspected was yourself." "McKenna," she said at last, but without the amusement that had formerly been in her eyes, "you are still guessing." He rose impatiently and went across the room, his hands behind his back. "Then, Mrs. Kildair," he said, turning, "do you wish me to report what I have just told you to my client, Mr. Beecher—as a guess?" She stood up at once, fully alert. "Mrs. Kildair, I am not an enemy," he continued, with a sudden change of manner. "I may not know all—but I know too much. Now, I’ll tell you right out why I want your confidence. You marry John G. Slade. Slade is going to be one of the biggest figures in the country; I know that. I’ve had his business; I want to keep it. It’s going to be ten times what it was before. More, I want his backing. I want several big jobs other agencies have got—The Bankers’ Association, for one. Now, from what I’ve seen of you, the force back of Slade will be Mrs. Slade. Tell me yourself what I already know and I know I’ve got you as a friend. Keep it from me, and I know you’ll supplant me with your husband. There may come a time when I can serve you—you never can tell. It’s worth trying. I repeat I know too much. The only way to guard against it is by full confidence." "You are right. I will tell you," she said suddenly, and she added seriously, "I was prepared to tell you. But it is understood this remains our secret." "My word." "And that Mr. Beecher is not to have the slightest clue. Can you promise me that?" "I have another story ready." "Good. Then it is an alliance," she said, and she offered her hand abruptly, with a movement full of authority.