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"Is it possible?" gasped the banker.

"You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when

he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not

explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who

certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He

took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her

secret."

"And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the

coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have

been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes!

The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the

scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!"