It was when she came downstairs that she chanced upon Theodore in the entrance hall. The big man looked both startled and surprised, and spoke to her in an excited tone.
"Come into my uncle's library at once, Miss Carrol," he said, touching her arm. "It has come."
"What has come?" naturally asked Miss Carrol, puzzled by his tone and look.
"It came by post," went on Theodore breathlessly, "and was not even registered. There is not a line with it to show who sent it."
"I don't know what you are talking about, Mr. Dane."
"Uncle wants you to hold it again in your hand and see if you can feel the drawing-power you spoke of. Come! Come quickly!"
At last Patricia knew what he meant and her face grew white. "Have you the Mikado Jewel?" she asked, leaning against the wall, faint and sick.
For answer Theodore unceremoniously led her into the library, and she saw Mr. Colpster standing near the window, gloating over something which he held in his hand. As he moved to face the girl, a vivid green ray shot through the subdued light of the large room.
"Look! Look!" cried the Squire, stuttering in his excitement, and he held up the jade chrysanthemum with the emerald flashing in its centre, as the sunlight caught its many facets.
"The Mikado Jewel!" gasped Patricia, and her legs refused to sustain her any longer. She sank into a chair. "How--how did you get it?"