not on speaking terms with the police myself."

"You won't seize me, you won't betray me--you, a clergyman!"

"No." said Nicholas Crips.

The woman moved forward, she laid hands upon him, she looked into his
face.

"He was a villain." she said. "He deserved it, but I am a murderess, and
you won't--" Her hands gripped him, a new light shone in her eyes.

"Why were you creeping in here?" she said. "You are a thief, That's
it--you are a thief. Well, listen, there are five thousand pounds' worth
of diamonds in a little leather bag in his breast pocket!" She pointed
down at the body. "Five thousand pounds' worth," she said.

"Five thousand!" he gasped. "Five thousand!"

The woman's hand was on the door knob. She opened the door and slipped
out. The lock clicked as she closed the door behind her.



CHAPTER VI.

A DEPARTURE INTO ART.

NICHOLAS CRIPS seated-himself on a warm stone, on a convenient boulder
spread the contents of yesterday's "Age." The "Age" contents on this