"Yes--if you don't want to get into a row. Rebb may be connected with this Tána Society and----"
"No," interrupted Haskins decidedly, "on the contrary, he is protecting Bellaria from assassination by the Tána, and so is himself in danger of death. But why should Mrs. Crosbie possess this coral hand?"
"You had better ask Signor Venosta, who gave it to her. He is probably a Count Fosco of modern days. But if you insist upon marrying this girl you will involve yourself in heaps of trouble."
"I intend to go down to Denleigh to-morrow and face Rebb," said Gerald determinedly. "Mavis shall be my wife. Meanwhile you must have Mrs. Crosbie watched." Gerald winced. "I don't like it, but I must save the girl."
"I'll do all I can. But I tell you what, Jerry, if you don't return to London in a week I'll set the police on your track."
"Very good! It's a case of marriage or death!"
Haskins was gay, but Tod departed filled with forebodings.
[CHAPTER XIII.]
THE TABLES TURNED.
Haskins departed for Devonshire by the eleven-fifty morning train from Paddington, with a great sense of exultation. The necessity of immediate action appealed to his active brain and to his craving for romance. That there was more than a spice of danger in the adventure to which he was committed added to his enjoyment. Notwithstanding his repudiation of Tod's suggestion that murder might be the end of these things he took the precaution of carrying a revolver. After all, Major Rebb was being driven into a highly unpleasant corner, and--from what Gerald knew of him--he was not the kind of man to submit tamely to being beaten. Nor would he readily surrender six thousand a year. He had enjoyed the luxuries of life too long to be content with the mere necessities. And that was only human nature.