Suddenly he heard the piano being played--a song from "La Boheme." He stood listening, for he was always fond of music. As he halted there the sweet perfume of the flowers greeted his nostrils, and he murmured some low words beneath his breath. His hand sought his jacket pocket, and when he withdrew it he had in his grasp a serviceable-looking revolver. He inhaled a long deep breath, for he was desperate. At last he summoned courage, and again drew back the curtain very slowly. All was darkness within until he switched on his pocket-lamp and slowly examined the place. The light fell upon the table whereon stood the jewel-case, and he walked straight to it and opened it. The moment his eyes fell upon the magnificent string of pearls he stood for a second as though in hesitation. Then swiftly he took them up, and with a glance at them thrust his prize into his jacket pocket. It was the work of an instant. He reclosed the lid. It snapped and startled him. Next moment his light was switched off and he disappeared. A second later, however, Jean turned the handle of the door, entered the room, and again switched on the light. The place became flooded with electricity, and she stood a pale, erect figure, staring at the clock, which was just chiming the hour of midnight. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CLOSED BOX. Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it. He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly. Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police. Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them. The intruder had fixed his eyes upon Jean, and stood staring at her as though fascinated by her amazing beauty. "At last, Ralph!" she gasped. "I--I thought perhaps you would not come--that you would think the risk too great." "Bah! What risk?" he asked. "Even if I were discovered, Bracondale could easily be satisfied that we are husband and wife." She shrank back at those words. "The child saw you with me this morning and told her father." "Awkward. What did you say?" "I made an excuse. One which, I hope, satisfied him." "Trust you, Jean, for a good excuse," he laughed brutally. Then, with a glance at the jewel-case on the table, he added: "But if I were you I'd be very wary. I suppose I did wrong in meeting you openly as I did. I ought to have been more circumspect. But, my girl, we need not have necessity to meet again, need we?" "I hope not--for my sake," was her reply, as she turned her pale face to his.