She assumed as well as she could an air of bravado, a false air of courage that might convince him she was not so easily frightened as she felt. “And you think the possible loss of my reputation is going to frighten me into letting you go?” “I do,” he said readily. “Well, you’re wrong,” she assured him, “I have only to tell them the truth about the necklace and what I’m doing here--” “But the truth is so seldom believed,” he reminded her, “especially when you’ve no evidence to support it. A lie is a much more easily digested morsel.” “All the evidence I need,” she asserted, “is in that locked drawer.” “Quite so,” he admitted. “I’d forgotten that, only it happens you’re wrong again.” He drew the necklace from his pocket and showed it to her. “It’s a beauty, isn’t it?” Moving over to the table he scribbled a few words on a sheet of paper. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Manufacturing evidence,” he returned calmly. “Meanwhile,” she said, gathering courage, “I propose to leave this room.” “An excellent idea from your way of thinking,” he said, looking up. “Naturally I’m interested to know how.” “I’ll show you,” she responded, and moved quickly to the bell button which she pushed violently. “Now, Mr. Denby,” she cried triumphantly. “This is my first shot! When the servants come, I shall take the necklace with me.” She was disappointed to see no trace of alarm on his face. Instead, he answered her calmly enough. “What a pity you did that--you’ll regret it so very soon.” “Shall I?” she said satirically, and watched him go to the window. As he did so, a low whistle was heard coming from the lawn beneath. Then he took the necklace, wrapped it in the note he had written, and tossed it through the opening. “I hardly think you’ll take it with you,” he observed suavely. “I shall get it,” she returned. “I shall tell the Harringtons exactly what you are, and that you threw it on the lawn.” “Wrong again, Miss Cartwright,” he said patiently. “If you’ll stand where I am, you will see the retreating figure of my friend Monty, who has it with him. Monty managed rather well, I think. His whistle announced the coast was clear.” “But he can’t get away with those men out there,” she reminded him. “Monty waited until they were gone,” he repeated. “For the moment, your friends of the secret service have left us.” “Then I’ll tell Mr. Harrington about Monty, that he’s your accomplice.” He shook his head. “I hardly think they’d believe that even from you. That Montague Vaughan, whose income is what he desires it to be, should lower himself to help me, is one of the truthful things nobody could possibly credit. If you could ring in some poor but honest young man it would sound so much more probable, but Monty, no.” She looked at him like a thing stricken. Her poor bravado fell from her. She felt beaten, and dreaded to think what might be the price of her failure.