“I see! You have scraped acquaintance with me in order to steal my jewels. You have them in that case in your hand!”
I stammered something. What it was I have no recollection. I only know that my words infuriated her, and she dashed out into the corridor to raise the alarm, leaving me in possession of the trick bag with the jewel-case inside.
I dashed after her, seizing her roughly by the waist as she ran down the corridor.
“Listen!” I whispered fiercely into her ear. “Listen one moment. You surely won’t give me away? Listen to what I have to tell you. Do—I—implore you,” I said. “I am no thief! I will tell you everything—and ask your advice. No harm has been done. Your pearls are here.”
“Yes,” she said, turning back upon me. “But you—the man I liked and trusted—are a common thief!”
“I admit it,” I said hoarsely as I dragged her back to her room, her dress being torn in the struggle. “I have been forced against my will into robbing you, as I will explain.”
Back in her bedroom she assumed a very serious attitude. She invited me to sit down, after I had handed back her jewel-case, and then, also seating herself in an arm-chair, she said in determination:
“Now look here, George Hargreave ... you see, I know your real name. I know your game. By a word I can have you arrested, while, on the other hand, my silence would give you your liberty.”
“You will remain silent, Lady Lydbrook—I beg of you! I know that I have committed an unpardonable crime for which there is no excuse.” I thought of that strange midnight scene I had witnessed and it was on the tip of my tongue to mention it. But would it further infuriate her? So I refrained from alluding to it.