"What do you want?" she asked, in a panting whisper. "There isn't a penny in the house!"

Goodness! if the girl didn't take me for a burglar!

"Do you think I'm a burglar?" I gasped.

"But,"—piteously.

"I am simply here to do you a service; and it is a service."

"There are no jewels save these rings. Take them and go." She stripped her fingers and held the rings toward me.

I flushed hotly. "Will you do me the honor to listen to me?" I asked, as calmly as I could. "Put back those rings; otherwise I shall regret that I