The setter came fawning to her side and unwillingly dropped his prize at her feet. As it fell to the ground, out rolled such a glory of jewels the girl could scarcely believe her eyes. There was a string of diamonds, dazzling as giant dewdrops; a pearl and sapphire pendant; several beautiful rings; and an oval brooch, its emerald centre surrounded by tier after tier of brilliants. Sylvia panted, breathless. She had never seen such gems, much less held them in her hands. How she longed to slip the rings upon her fingers and try the effect of the diamonds about her slender throat! Prudence, however, overmastered the impulse. Marcia might return and surprise her at any moment. Before that the treasure must be returned to the place from which it had been taken. Gathering the rainbow heap together, she reluctantly thrust it into its blue leather case, snapped the catch, and placed it once more under the brick. Then with relief she stood up and wiped the perspiration from her forehead. It was not until she was again in her chair, book in hand, and struggling to quiet her quick breathing[84] that she discovered she still held in her hand the handkerchief that had been wrapped about the jewel-case. [84] How stupid of her! How insufferably careless! Well, she dared not attempt to replace it now. There was no time. Instead, she smoothed it out and inspected it. It was a man's handkerchief of finest linen and one corner bore the embroidered initials S. C. H. She had known it all the time! There was no need to be told the jewels were his. What puzzled her was when he had found time to hide them. He had not, so far as she knew, been left alone a moment and yet here was his booty safe beneath the floor. She rated it as booty, because there could be no doubt he had stolen it. He had stolen it from that Long Island estate, escaped in his speed boat and here he was—here, under this very roof! A robber—that was what he was! A robber—a bandit, such as one saw in the movies!
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