"I understand it all," she broke in. "I understand that this might
lead to the failure of the thing you are trying to do. But I don't
care. I understand that already I have lost my father and my
brother in this; that my grandmother and my mother were nearly
starved to death while it was all being planned; all for these
hideous diamonds. Diamonds! Diamonds! Diamonds! I've heard
nothing all my life but that. As a child it was dinned into me, and
now I am sick and weary of it all. I know--I _know_ something has
happened to him now. I hate them! I hate them!"

She stopped, glared at him with scornful eyes for an instant, then
ran up the stairs again. Mr. Wynne touched a button in the wall, and
the maid appeared.

"Go lock the back door, and bring me the key," he commanded.

The maid went away, and a moment later returned to hand him the key.
He still stood in the hall, waiting.

After a little there came a rush of skirts, and Miss Kellner ran down
the steps, dressed for the street.

"Doris," he pleaded, "you must not go out now. Wait just a moment--
we'll find a way, and then I'll go with you."

She tried to pass him, but his outstretched arms made her a prisoner.

"Do I understand that you refuse to let me go?" she asked tensely.

"Not like this," he replied. "If you'll give me just a little while