“It was taken from you, was it? Who by?”

“By a person of my acquaintance.”

“A person who was looking for it?” said Leonard sharply.

“No. That person saw it on the top of a cupboard in my sitting-room and fancied it as a curio,” said the widow.

“What was that person’s name—for the hundredth time—what was that person’s name? That’s what I want to know,” stormed Leonard.

“I can’t tell you that. It was someone who has been very kind to me, and to tell would only do harm—great harm. I will not tell.”

“But, you old fool, that person would be the first to tell you to speak!”

“Perhaps—perhaps. But how am I to know that? I cannot write.... We see one another from time to time.... Why, we were to meet next Tuesday, at two o’clock.”

“Where?”

“It’s impossible.... I’d no right——”