“He does know, but the career of his brother Charles and the honor of his family outweigh everything with him. You see, if the loss of part of the regalia were made known, there would be a public outcry, and his brother would be disgraced. Now, Sep, what interest have I in the matter except yours and Rees Pennant’s?”
“Rees’s! Yes, that is true,” he muttered.
“Well, then, trust your secret to me. You were sent away with the jewels to dispose of them, were you not?”
Sep admitted this with a half-involuntary nod, not looking at her.
“Where?”
“To Amsterdam.”
“But the jewels were only stolen yesterday, and you are back already!”
“I didn’t go. I lost heart. I was afraid. I fancied I was followed.” And he cast another hunted look around him. “And now I daren’t meet Goodhare. And yet—I don’t know where to go. So I sneaked back here—to wait—till I’m taken.”
“No! Your instinct guided you back to be saved,” cried Deborah, in re-assuring tones. “You have the jewels with you now?”
“No-o,” stammered Sep.