Sanders grinned quietly. He guessed _which_ innocent one was most in Manners' thoughts!
"Right!" he said. "Though it seems a pity that d--d _Inner Circle_ should get off scot free."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. It won't. Pat not only found the pearls, but overheard such a lot he's in a position to turn blackmailer. He's held up the rotters. They've had to sign a paper swearing to mend their ways. Lowndes is one of them; there's an Irishman--compatriot of Pat's--from a London rag, who slugged him. And the _editor_--Gee! you'd _never_ guess who _he's_ turned out to be."
"Well, anyhow, he's going to transform the _Inner Circle_ into a sort of _Inner Shrine_, if he keeps his promise. Lord! Won't the next number be a sensation?"
"Yes--make up to the public a bit for losing the truth about the great pearl secret."
Jack laughed joyfully--his first happy laugh for weeks. And then, even from that unblest place, the flat of Madame Veno, he could not omit calling up Lyda, at her house.
She was at home, and answered: "Oh, I'm thankful to hear your voice. Is all well with the Duchess?"
"Yes. _And_ the pearls. So all's well with everyone except me."
"How can it be till you give me that promise?"
"But--since these things have happened, it's yours already. And--so am I. You are _the_ man. I am _the_ woman!"
"My goddess!" cried Jack through the uncongenial telephone. "I'm coming to you the instant I'm free. Juliet and Pat send you their love. You've got all mine already."
A Soldier of the Legion Everyman's Land It Happened in Egypt Lady Betty Across the Water Lord Loveland Discovers America My Friend the Chauffeur Princess Virginia Rosemary in Search of a Father Secret History Set in Silver The Car of Destiny The Chaperon The Golden Silence The Great Pearl Secret The Guests of Hercules The Heather Moon The Lightning Conductor The Lightning Conductor Discovers America The Lion's Mouse The Motor Maid The Port of Adventure The Princess Passes The Second Latchkey
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Great Pearl Secret, by C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson
