"Thank you," said Leo, inwardly smiling at the lie.
"Then you will be delighted to hear that the thief has been found."
As Marton spoke Hale suddenly turned pale, and rose with an effort. "The thief has been—found!" he stammered.
"Yes," replied Marton, with a swift glance, thinking at once of his theory of a conspiracy. "It seems that this man Angel—I beg your pardon, you know him as Pratt—stole the cup."
"But it was Mr Pratt who gave it!" cried Edith.
"Quite so, Miss Hale. Afterwards he was sorry that his generosity had led him to make so great a sacrifice. Therefore he stole what he had bestowed."
"And what about this story of Mrs Jeal?" asked Hale, trying to be amiable.
"Oh! that was part of the business, Sir Frank. Pratt thought the cup would be seen here, even if he kept it in his house. So he sent it up to London to be pawned for safe keeping. You do not understand why this should be done. But then you have never come into contact with a man like Pratt. However, for reasons I need not explain, he pawned the cup. His servant Adam is rather like Mr Haverleigh, and it was thus that Mrs Jeal, not having a clear view, made a mistake. You understand, Sir Frank?"
"Quite," replied Hale in a strangled voice. He was pale and anxious-looking. Leo thought that this was anger at his escape. But Marton took another and a more serious view.
"I am sure you are pleased that Haverleigh's character has been cleared."