several things that tended to confirm it. Indeed, had he been aware of my previous suspicions, he would hardly have ventured to commit himself so far as he did. It is even possible (though I don't believe it) that their meeting here is by appointment. But the probability is that Henry is badly perplexed, if not dismayed, by her presence here, and that he will make a determined effort either to induce her to depart or to escape himself. She may have some hold upon him. For the future I shall not encourage confidences from him, because if he were to tell me the story and ask me to assist him against Sinfire I should be obliged to refuse.
Something decisive must happen before long.
VIII.
John, Lord Cedarcliffe, in his capacity as squire of this neighborhood, has been obliged to give a good deal of attention to the gang of burglars which has of late been infesting the region; but so far the "authorities" have been successful only in securing evidence of past depredations. News has just arrived that last night they got into General Furnace's place, which is only two miles from ours, and carried off all poor Mrs. Furnace's jewelry. This is too bad in itself, and it also raises the interesting question whether we may not be the next objects of attack. They were very quiet and skilful, and also very leisurely and audacious; for they made a most careful and fastidious selection from the booty at their disposal, and took nothing that would not be readily and immediately available.
As a law-abiding and respectable citizen, such outrages as this have my sternest reprobation; but as a human being, with a good slice of the old Adam in me, I confess to a good deal of secret amusement and admiration, the fellows take such enormous risks and do their work so cleverly. Of course, if I caught one of them carrying off Sâprani, for example, I should However, Sâprani is not a diamond necklace, and could probably take her own part. John takes a thoroughly serious view of the matter, and he and Henry (who is always ready for an adventure of any kind) are busy devising a scheme for bagging the light-fingered gentry in case they honor us with a call. Mother is much comforted by the presence of a large empty revolver on her mantel-piece, and Sinfire goes about with a derringer in her pocket, which is not empty, and which she knows how to use. For my part, I shall depend more on my key and bolt than on deadly weapons; and, besides, as I shall have to attend to the wounded, it would be foolish in me to take measures to increase their number.
