They deserve a little extra trouble for letting the
fellow get away."
Mr. Bundercombe and I left the shop and ascended the stairs leading to the
manicure parlor. Rodwell, who had bathed his face and made a complete
change of toilet, was pacing up and down the little room. Blanche, too,
was there, still pale and weeping.
"Now," Mr. Bundercombe began, as he carefully closed the door behind him,
"I told you a few minutes ago I was neither on your side nor on the side
of the law. I am about to prove it. I have returned the jewels to
Tarteran's, no questions to be asked, and I've got the reward. There you
are, young lady!" he added, placing the roll of notes and a handful of
gold in her hand. "You have given me a week or so of intense interest and
amusement. There is your reward for it. If you want to divide it with your
friend it's nothing to do with me. Take it and run along. So far as
regards this little establishment the rent is paid for another three
months; but, so far as regards my connection with it, I think I needn't
explain--"
"That you've been fooling me!" the girl interrupted, a faint smile at the
corners of her lips. "Do you know, sometimes I suspected that you weren't
in earnest! And then one day I saw your wife--and I wasn't sure!"
"Good morning!" Mr.
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