“When?” he said sharply.
“Oh, nearly a fortnight ago!”
“You’ve not got it, then,” he said. “Did you change your things after?—take every precaution? How did it happen?”
She told him everything, blushing hotly at the surprise in his face when he heard she had been to Trafalgar House.
He looked exceedingly serious over it.
“There’s no knowing what may be the end of it,” he said, a frown of anxiety on his brow. “How could you do such a thing, Nellie? You might have known Meg’s judgment would be good.”
“But you say I haven’t got it,” the girl answered, resenting the elder-brotherly tone of reproof, “so there’s no need for any more fuss.”
“How do I know you did not bring it home with [224] ]you and give it to one of the others?” he said shortly.
Nell looked aghast.
“Why, I couldn’t do that, could I?” she said, with startled eyes. “I never dreamt any one but I could have got it.”