"Then hunt for Joseph Striver," said Miss Destiny furiously, "he is the thief."
"Impossible. He sent me the cipher."
"Yes," she sneered, "after he had stolen the jewels he could easily send you the cipher. But he had the eye, by your own showing. He must have read the cipher. He had taken the fortune. Oh," she shook her fists in the air, "I wish these two hands were at his throat."
The little creature looked so evil, as she shook and quivered in the sordid room, that I touched Gertrude's shoulder. "Go away, dear. This is no sight for you." Then, when she obeyed me and passed outside, I turned to Miss Destiny. "You will understand that the jewels are lost for ever."
"I'll hunt the thief down; I'll hunt him down," she breathed savagely.
"Even if you do, the half share will not come to you. I will look after Gertrude's interest."
Miss Destiny laughed shrilly. "Ah, you marry her for her money. What love!"
"Gertrude at present has no money, nor do I want any money with her. But if Striver has the jewels he shall be forced to give them up. Meanwhile, if you say a word to anyone against Gertrude I shall tell my story."
"I'll say no word until the jewels are in Gertrude's possession. It is not worth my while to say anything until then. But when she has the fortune I shall have my half, or she shall hang."
"You are mad," I said, recoiling from her venomous looks.