'Yes,' I answered. 'I found it on the path just by the hedge where you were standing.'
'But I did not bring a locket with me from London,' she exclaimed, and I felt immensely disappointed.
'Isn't it really yours, then?' I asked.
'Of course not,' she returned. 'How can it be if I didn't bring one?' and then she removed one hand from the bicycle, and took the locket from my palm, which I wished had not been so extremely grimy. 'I think it is very pretty,' she continued, 'and I believe it is gold.'
'Oh, it is gold right enough!' I said, 'because it has a hall-mark. It is eighteen carat.'
'Have you come out of your way just because you thought it was mine?' she asked, giving me back the trinket.
'It was not very far,' I persisted.
'Rather nice of you, though,' said Jacintha.
'If it comes to that,' I answered, 'you were rather nice to me that day. Some girls would have given me away, and then I should have been back at Ascot House before now.'
As I was speaking, she took a small gold watch from her pocket.