He silenced her with a reassuring gesture.
“You do misjudge me!” he said in a voice that fairly wept.
Hope flamed in her eyes. “You mean—you can’t mean—”
Again he lifted his hand. “I mean that you misconstrue my motive. Far be it from me to deny that I am—what I am. We have ever been plain-spoken with one another. You told me what I was seven years ago, when you left me, took another name, disowned me and ...” His voice broke affectingly for an instant. “No matter,” he resumed, with an obvious effort. “The past is past, and I am punished for all that I have ever done or ever may do, by the loss of my daughter’s confidence and affection. It is my fault; I have no right to complain. But now ... Yes, I admit I tried to steal the necklace in the Park tonight. But I failed, and failing I did that which got you into trouble. Now I’m here to help you extricate yourself. Don’t worry about the necklace—keep it, hide it where you will. I don’t want and shan’t touch, it on any conditions.”
“You mean I’m free to return it to Miss Landis?” she gasped, incredulous.
“Just that.”
“Then—where can I find her?”
He shrugged. “There’s the rub. She’s left town.”
She steadied herself with a hand on the table. “Still I can follow her....”
“Yes—and must. That’s what I’ve come to tell you and to help you do.”