The White Lie Part 38

"But you have at home," he urged. "What other jewels have you got?"

"Nothing of great value here. The Bracondale jewels are at Bracondale,"

she replied slowly, after a few seconds' deliberation. "I have nothing much here, except----"

And she drew herself up short.

"Except what?" he asked sharply.

"Nothing."

"Oh, yes, you have," he said, in a hard voice. "Now tell me. What have you got of real value?"

"I tell you I have nothing."

"That's a lie," he declared. "You've got something you don't want to part with--something you value very much."

She was silent and stood there pale and trembling before him. He saw her hesitation, and knew that his allegation was the truth.

"Come, out with it! I mustn't stay here any longer. We shall be seen,"

he said. "What have you got?"

She bit her blanched lip.

"My pearls," she replied in a voice scarcely above a whisper.

"What pearls?"

"Matched pearls which my husband gave me for my birthday."

"Valuable--eh?"

"Yes," she sighed. "But you can't have them. I prize them very much."

"Greater than your own honour?" he asked, seriously.

"You shall never have them. What excuse could I make to Bracondale?"

"Leave that to me. Pearls are easier negotiated than diamonds. I can sell them at once. If they are the good goods I'll give you the letter in exchange for them. That's a bargain."

"They cost several thousands, I know."

"Good! Then we'll conclude the business to-night."

"No, no!" she protested. "What could I tell my husband?"

"I wish you wouldn't keep referring to him as husband, Jean, when he is not your husband."

"To the world he is. I am no longer Jean Ansell, remember," she protested.

"Well, we won't discuss that. Let's arrange how the exchange shall be made. Now, around your house is a verandah. You will accidentally leave the pearls on the table in one of the rooms at midnight, with the long window unfastened, and I'll look in and get them. You will be in the room, and we can make the exchange. Next day you will discover your loss and tell the police that burglars have visited you. By that time I shall be in Amsterdam. It's quite easy. Only keep your nerve, girl."

"But----"

"There are no 'buts.' We are going to carry this thing through."

She hesitated, thinking deeply. Then she openly defied him.

"I will not let you have those pearls. He gave them to me, and I won't arrange a mock burglary."

"You won't give them to me as price of your honour--eh? Then you're a bigger fool than I took you for. I dare say they won't fetch more than a thousand--perhaps not that. So it's a sporting offer I am making you."

"You can have anything except that."

"I don't want anything else. I want to do you a good turn by getting away from here--away from you for ever. I quite understand your feelings and sympathise with you, I a.s.sure you," he said, his manner changing slightly.

But she was obdurate. Therefore he at once altered his tactics and resorted again to his bullying methods. He was a low-down blackguard, although he was dressed as a gentleman and cultivated an air of refinement. Yet he was a prince among thieves and swindlers.

"All this is mere empty talk," he declared at last. "I tell you that if you refuse to do as I direct I shall call upon Bracondale this evening and ask for alms. Oh," he laughed, "it will be quite amusing to see his face when I show him your letter, for he no doubt believes in you. Are you prepared to face the music?"

And, pausing, he fixed his cruel, relentless eyes, beady and brilliant as those of a snake, upon his trembling victim.

She did not answer, though she now realised that he held her future in his remorseless hands. This man whom she had once loved with a strong, all-consuming pa.s.sion, had risen to smite her and to ruin her.

"Will Bracondale be at home to-night?" he asked presently.

"No," she responded in a low whisper. "He will be at his club. He has arranged to play bridge with M. Polivin, the Minister of Commerce. You won't see him."

"Good. Then you will be alone--to meet me and take the letter in exchange for the pearls, which I shall take," he said, confidently. "I had a look around the house early this morning before anyone was about.

It would be very easy to enter there--quite inviting, I a.s.sure you. I wonder you don't take precautions against intruders. I speak as an expert," and he laughed grimly.

But she made no response.

"I notice," he went on--"I notice that the room on the left of the front entrance is a small salon. It has a long window leading to the balcony.

Leave that unlatched, and I will come there at midnight. If you are there, leave the light on. If there is danger then put it out. I shall know."

"But I can't--I won't."

"You will! You want that letter, and I will give it to you in exchange for the pearls! He will suspect nothing. A thief got in and stole them.

That was all. He is rich, and will buy you another set. So why trouble further?"

"No--I----"

"Yes--ah, look! That woman is coming back with the child. I must clear.

Remember, it is all arranged. At midnight to-night I'll bring you the letter. _Au revoir!_"

And next moment the evil shadow of her life disappeared around the corner of the rock and was gone.