In a twinkling he had them out, and, rising to his feet, he held a heavy string of diamonds towards the girl.
"Madam," he cried, "permit me to befriend you. I do not know who you are, but—"
His voice trailed away into a little gasp, for the frightened face that stared at him in the moonlight with starting eyes was the face of the lady he was seeking.
Paul stood still gazing mutely at the girl and holding out the jewels towards her.
When he had recovered from his great surprise he moved a step nearer to her.
"Madam," he said, "permit me to insist that you shall take these things back."
Without a word she stretched out her hand and took the jewels from him. She hid them quickly in the folds of her cloak, and all the while the expression of amaze and fear on her face did not abate.
At last she pointed to the man lying beneath the tree.
"You have not killed him?" she asked, in a low voice.
For answer, Paul turned again and knelt at the fat man's side. He inserted his hand skilfully over the unconscious man's heart, and then rose to his feet again.