"No. Why should I? One brat on my hands was enough. Afterwards Julian came home to Brighton and died. It was at Brighton that he made his will, as you know. I came back from India with Mavis, and, to cut off all association with those who knew her and Durham, I exchanged into a West India regiment, and took her to Jamaica. I sold out fifteen or sixteen years ago, and brought the child here, after a tour in Italy. It was in Naples that I found Bellaria. She was a singer, and had betrayed some man belonging to the Tána Society. I don't know the exact story, but she was in danger of death, so I took her by stealth to Devonshire and made her nurse to Mavis." "And Geary?" "He was my servant in Jamaica. In Devonshire, at Barnstaple, he met with his wife, and, as I wanted someone to watch the Pixy's House, I established him at the Devon Maid, making him a present of the freehold." Gerald rose. "And you paid for it out of Mavis' money?" "Of course I did--only you mistake, the money doesn't belong to Mavis until she is married." "She will be married to me the moment that I can find her," said Gerald grimly, stalking to the door. "Wait a bit," called out Rebb, "if you marry her without promising me the three thousand a year I shall prove the identity of Charity, and she will get the lot. When she marries Tod Macandrew--he's in love with her, you know--you will get left." "You cannot take the money from Mavis. Her name is mentioned in the will," said Gerald coolly, and tried the door, which was locked. "I say, open this, confound you!" Major Rebb flung the key across the room, and Haskins fitted it into the lock. Before he could open the door Rebb continued: "Don't be a fool in your own interests, Haskins. I shall swear that Charity is Mavis, and your beloved will lose all." "You can scarcely do that, in the face of the story you will have to tell. Mrs. Pelham Odin and the juggler's wife and the ayah can prove that Charity is the missing twin. And I daresay Mavis' baptismal certificate can be found. Her name in the will makes her the heiress." "Then I'll tell about Charity and prove her identity," cried Rebb, starting furiously to his feet, "and she will at least get half." "I don't care if she does," retorted Gerald, flinging open the door. "But you had better give the money to me, and then I'll be silent as to Charity being Durham's daughter." "No, Major. I don't care for your crooked ways. I'll find Mavis and marry her. Probably she will be quite willing to halve the income with her twin. Three thousand a year will be enough for her and for me. Good-day, Major, find some other man who is willing to become such a blackguard as you are." Rebb caught the decanter and slung it across the room. It only crashed against the closed door. And when Rebb ran forward to pursue the man who flouted him he found the door locked on the outside. CHAPTER XXIII. TOD'S DISCOVERY.