"Because Mr. Gerard asked me not to say he had been, sir. He is not friendly here, just now; and I promised him I would not. And I am sorry to have had to break my word."
"Who is Mr. Gerard, pray?"
"He is my nephew," interposed the checkmated colonel. "Gerard Hope."
"But, as Thomas says, he is no swindler," remarked Lady Sarah: "he is not the thief. You may go, Thomas."
"No, sir," stormed the colonel; "fetch Miss Dalrymple here first. I'll come to the bottom of this. If he has done it, Lady Sarah, I will bring him to trial: though he is Gerard Hope."
Alice came back, leaning on the arm of Lady Frances Chenevix; the latter having been dying with curiosity to come in before.
"So the mystery is out, ma'am," began the colonel, to Miss Dalrymple: "it appears this gentleman was right, and that somebody did come in. And that somebody was the rebellious Mr. Gerard Hope."
Alice was prepared for this, for Thomas had told her Mr. Gerard's visit was known; and she was not so much agitated as before. It was the fear of its being found out, the having to conceal it which had troubled her.
"It is not possible that Gerard can have taken the bracelet," said Lady Sarah.
"No, it is not possible," replied Alice. "And that is why I was unwilling to mention his having come up."