"I know that. Maud Carr had it, and told me how her father had found it. But instead of giving it to me, she passed it along to your mother."
"To whom," said Beatrice with emphasis, "it rightfully belongs."
"Well, yes; but also it belongs to me. Lady Watson will not give it to me, but she will to you. And, as a matter of fact, your father the Colonel left you the necklace."
"You contradict yourself, Major: you said it belonged to my mother."
"Possession is nine points of the law," said the big man, with a shrug, "and Lady Watson has the necklace, sure enough. But you can insist on her giving it to you, and then hand it to me. I'll vanish out of your life and trouble you no more. There is a wide field for the exercise of a gentleman's abilities in the States."
"And suppose I decline?" asked Beatrice disdainfully.
"In that case," replied Ruck, regarding her attentively, "I shall be compelled to accuse Mr. Vivian Paslow of having murdered Alpenny."
"That is a lie," cried Beatrice, starting to her feet. "It is the truth," retorted the Major, "the real truth."