"You have been greatly trusted. It is a rare privilege, isn't it?"
Rollie nodded thoughtfully.
"And these?" questioned Doctor Hampstead, motioning to where the diamond necklace curled, appearing to Rollie less like a serpent now and more like a strangler's knot.
"I'm afraid of them," said the young man with a shudder. "Couldn't—couldn't you take them back to her and tell the story?"
The clergyman shook his head solemnly.
"I cannot confess your sins for you," he averred. "If you are not man enough for that, we might as well stop before we begin."
Hampstead's tone was final.
"You are right," admitted Burbeck, in tones of conviction; "you are right."
But still he could not bring himself to touch the diamonds, and stood gazing as if charmed by the evil spell they wrought. Sensing this, the minister took up from his desk a long envelope which bore his name and address in the corner, opened it, lifted the sparkling string by one end, dropped it inside, moistened the flap, sealed it, and handed it to Burbeck.
"There," he exclaimed, "you don't even have to touch them again. Go straight to her hotel."
"Oh, but I cannot," exclaimed Rollie, apprehension trembling in his tones. "I shall not dare to leave the bank until the shortage is covered. The executors might come in ahead of time, and I must be there to stall them off, if necessary. But I might telephone to Miss Dounay."
"Telephones are leaky instruments," objected Hampstead, with a shake of his head.
"Or send her a note," suggested Burbeck.
