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"I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I

could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me.

Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case

complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the

Countess of Morcar's?"

"It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a

crackling voice.

"I see-her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of

sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has

been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous

in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the

making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man

Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter

before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him.

What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's

room-you and your confederate Cusack-and you managed that he

should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled

the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man

arrested. You then-"