"I so dare, Princess."
"And ... and who are you?"
"My name does not matter. But you may call me Conscience, if you must give me a name. For I am the Conscience of an empire."
The voice was beside Lenore now. She spun swiftly, her hands seeking emptiness about her.
"It is a trick! Someone will die for this! Leave! Leave this instant, or I call the guard—"
The voice of "Conscience" laughed.
"Call the guard if you will, Princess. I will have gone ere they arrive ... and these with me!"
This time the sound came from behind her. Again the girl whirled, this time to see a stupefying sight. As if imbued with eerie lapidary life, the jewels were rising from her dressing-table in great handfuls. Leaping clots of rich iridescence climbed into thin air ... and vanished!
Up till now the princess had been overwhelmed with shock; now she was struck to the quick with another emotion. She screamed aloud and darted forward in defense of her precious gems.