“Did you burn it, destroy it?” cried Tuke. “Speak out, man! I am the only one to blame.”
“I did not destroy it, sir. I——”
“Yes, yes. Oh, out with it, in the devil’s name!”
“I gave it to the woman, and she took it away.”
“The woman? What—? Ah! you mean the gipsy I saw you in talk with.”
It all recurred to him in a moment—the stolen interview; the bundle passed from one to the other.
“Where is she?” he said faintly. “Do you know where she is?”
“I—yes, sir. I could lead you to the wild place she inhabits.”
“You must do so,” said Tuke eagerly. “I have done an unwitting wrong to a great sufferer. Dennis, you will lead me to her, won’t you? and help me to the recovery of this accursed stone?”
“Sir, it is accursed, I think; but I will lead you to her.”