“What for?”
“Because of what has just now happened. If I had to confess, of course, I could never marry Miss Vernon. And in that case, I wanted her to be provided for.”
“That will cannot stand.”
“I don’t care anything about that. I’ve confessed now, my life is practically ended. I can will my own fortune to Miss Vernon.”
“And the jewels? Did you return those last night? And the emeralds to Mrs. Stannard last week?”
“No,” said Barry, slowly. “I don’t know anything about the jewels. Perhaps there was a robber, after all. Say a jewel fancier——”
“Or say a little girl who was fond of jewelry.”
“No,” and Barry shook his head, “Miss Vernon knew nothing of the jewels.”
“But the letter to her——”
“That letter wasn’t to her, it was to some woman my father knew and feared. He never would have given the emeralds to Natalie. The idea is preposterous.”