"Yes. And I gave them both to Maunders when I set him up in those splendid Egyptian rooms in Bond Street," observed her mistress. "They were not engaged to strangle people, as you may think, Colonel, but I merely wished them to add to the fantastical look of the place when fortunes were being told. That you were so nearly strangled, and Vernon also, was your own fault and his own. You should mind your own business, my friend." "I am going to mind it now," said Towton with a frown; "but first tell me, since you are so frank, what about Lady Corsoon's jewels?" "They are in this house. I gave them into Miss Jewin's possession." "And Lady Corsoon can have them for one hundred pounds," said Miss Jewin. "A very modest demand, Sarah," said Miss Hest approvingly, "but as the game is up I don't think you will get more. I shall leave you to arrange about getting the money and handing back the jewels. Lady Corsoon will be safe, and at a small loss. But I am glad to think that she will not get your money, Ida, dear." "Don't speak to me," cried Ida starting to her feet. "The more you say the more I see how shamefully you have treated me." "I have spared you," said Miss Hest coolly. "I could have stripped you entirely bare had I so chosen." "No. By your own showing I was too clever for you." "Why, that is true, and simply because you were honest. I always wished to keep on the right side of the law, or I could have got you to make a will in my favour, and then you would have been poisoned." "How dare you?" shouted Towton, while Ida gave a faint cry. "You have learned how much I dare," said Frances with an unpleasant look. "So, now the story is told, perhaps you will leave my house." Colonel Towton walked towards the door with Ida on his arm and roughly pushed Miss Jewin aside. "I shall place Miss Dimsdale----" "Miss Menteith," sneered Frances. "In safety," continued Towton without noticing the interruption, "and then I shall ride for the police." "I shall come, too," cried Maunders starting to his feet. "She will lock me up again and perhaps may kill me." "Stay where you are," commanded Frances sharply. "I intend to----" Maunders did not wait to hear the end of the sentence. Seeing that Towton and Ida blocked the door he made a rush at the nearest window and sprang out of it with a dexterity begotten of sheer fear. Whether Frances intended to take him with her when she fled, or whether she intended to murder him he could not say, but he preferred to trust in the mercy of the law rather than in that of the woman who had been his evil genius. Crazy with terror, he tumbled to the ground, and Towton, along with Ida, ran to the front door, to see him speeding across the grass. A moment later and Frances, with a revolver in her hand, leaped from the window in pursuit. From the expression on her face she evidently intended nothing less than murder.