"That is possible, of course," she said thoughtfully, her lip between her little teeth, an impulsive movement when she was plunged in thought. "Or are you waiting for the thief to come back here and try to recover it? Of course, that’s the plan." "There’s one thing," she said, with a quick, imperative gesture, looking at him closely, "I want you to remember. There is nothing public to be known. Whatever is done must be done quietly." "Oh, of course," he said hastily. "I say, Rita, let me try to work this out with you—give me your confidence! I wish you would." She considered a moment, as though puzzled by his offer. "I don’t think it will ever be found," she said, shaking her head and looking at him. "But you suspect some one," he persisted. She hesitated a moment, and then shook her head. "No." The second’s delay convinced him. "Man or woman?" "It is only a speculation," she answered slowly, "but I believe it was a woman." "Both times?" "Both times." He took a turn, moodily disturbed, and came back. "Tell me this, Rita," he said. "Who else came back here tonight?" "Garraboy," she answered slowly, "and—Mrs. Cheever." "Mrs. Cheever!" he exclaimed, astonished. "Why, she was on the verge of prostration." Mrs. Kildair smiled a thin, elusive smile, and was about to reply when there came a ring at the door. Instantly her manner changed. Placing her finger on her lips, at the same time sending him a glance that commanded the utmost silence, she took his hand and led him softly from the studio, through her bedroom into the further obscurity of the dining-room, which was lit only by the weak reflection which filtered through from the hall. "Sit here, and not a sound," she said, placing her lips so close to his ear that he felt the warm contact of her cheek. She gave him a slight pressure of her fingers, and went back into the studio by way of her bedroom, closing both doors. Beecher, left in the darkness, strained every nerve to catch the sound that would reveal the identity of the new arrival. It seemed to him that he heard the sound of another woman’s voice, and then presently, as a shadow came to him through the twilight of the hall, he heard Mrs. Kildair saying: "—to telephone. Be back in a moment." The next instant she was at his side, pressing his hand to prevent the whisper that was on his lips. They sat thus side by side for what seemed a full five minutes before she rose and silently passed into the hall again. Beecher remained in complete bewilderment, unable to detect the slightest sound of the conversation that was taking place. That the same test was being applied to the new-comer which he himself had detected, he understood; but which one of the many guests it might be, he could not discover. At the end of an interminable interval, he heard a few faint sounds, the closing of the outer door, and presently the rustle of Mrs. Kildair’s approach. "Come now," she said, waiting for him in the hall.