"Hale probably kept it back. He wants it, you know, as he has some idea of getting this money by producing it."
"Yes! Yes! I heard something about that," muttered Charvington, "but of course that is impossible, unless--unless----" he paused, opening and shutting his hands feverishly. "Damn him," he burst out with a stamp of his foot, "I would like to throttle him as he nearly throttled you."
George looked up in surprise. "Throttled me?"
"Yes," said Charvington impatiently "can't you see? It must have been Hale who assaulted you on the towing-path to get back that cross, and he, as an expert thief, took the ornament from your cottage."
"On the face of it, that appears probable," said George slowly, "all the same I don't think it was the case."
"Why not? He wanted the amethyst cross."
"Quite so. But if he had obtained it from my cottage so long ago, he would have taken it to Mr. Jabez to procure the money if possible. The mere fact, too, that he was willing I should marry Lesbia, if I found the missing ornament, shows that Hale did not commit the assault and robbery."
"Then who could have done so?"
George shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say. Probably the person who placed it in this room."
"If it ever was in this room," muttered Charvington, darkly.