Still as cool as an iceberg, as unruffled as a bank of pansies.
"I shall do nothing," I answered. "The service you rendered a few moments ago puts me under a great obligation. Rest assured, sir, you have nothing to fear from me."
He walked hospitably to the door and opened it.
"You had best avoid another rupture with Mr. Edgerly," he said, in a friendly tone. "He is quick tempered and, as you have well observed, you are not strong enough to contend with him. As to pistols, he is a dead shot. He can knock a penny off a wall at two hundred paces."
I thanked him for his advice and went to find Miss May, whom I was not surprised to discover in an excited state, and bathed in tears.
"Oh," she cried, when she saw me, "let us return to New York as soon as we can! You have had nothing but trouble ever since I have been with you. Take me to America and end this unfortunate agreement of ours. I knew you and that man would have trouble again. If the other one had not appeared you would now be dead, and he—"
Her sobbing broke out again, terrifically. All at once it occurred to me that the news of the recovered jewels would partially comfort her.
"Marjorie," I said, "Marjorie, my love! There is a silver lining to the cloud to-day, a golden lining, a diamond lining. Yes," as she looked intently at me through her tears, "I know where my stud is, and your earrings, and Miss Howes'—"
Instead of giving the joyful cry I expected my companion uttered a long wail and lay limp in the arms I stretched out to catch her.
I cursed my indiscretion and, laying her gently on a sofa, rang for aid.