“If you wish it, I will,” I said slowly.  “You have promised to permit me to be candid, and I am going to take advantage of that permission.  In my own mind I do not believe the story they tell.  I do not believe that they were ever missionaries, though we have convincing proofs that they have been in the hands of the Chinese.  That Hayle betrayed them I have not the least doubt, it seems consistent with his character, but where they obtained the jewels, that are practically the keystones to the whole affair, I have no more notion than you.  They may have been honestly come by, or they may not.  So far as the present case is concerned that fact is immaterial.  There is still, however, one vital point we have to consider.  If the gems in question belong equally to the three men, each is entitled to his proper share, either of the stones or of the amounts realized by the sale.  That share, as you already know, would amount to a considerable sum of money.  Your uncle, I take it, has not a penny-piece in the world, and his companion is in the same destitute condition.  Now we will suppose that I find Hayle for them, and they meet.  Does it not seem to you quite possible that your uncle’s rage might lead him to do something desperate, in order to revenge himself upon the other?  But if he could command himself he would probably get his money?  If, on the other hand, they do not meet, then what is to be done?  Forgive me, Miss Kitwater, for prying into your private affairs, but in my opinion it is manifestly unfair that you should have to support these two men for the rest of their existences.”

“You surely must see that I would rather do that than let my father’s brother commit a crime,” she returned, more earnestly than she had yet spoken.

The position was decidedly an awkward one.  It was some proof of the girl’s sterling qualities that she should be prepared to make such a sacrifice for the sake of a man whom it was certainly impossible to love, and for that reason even to respect.  I looked at her with an admiration in my face that I did not attempt to conceal.  I said nothing by way of praise, however.  It would have been an insult to her to have even hinted at such a thing.

“Pardon me,” I said at last, “but there is one thing that must be taken into consideration.  Some day, Miss Kitwater, you may marry, and in that case your husband might not care about the arrangement you have made.  Such things have happened before now.”

She blushed a rosy red and hesitated before she replied.

“I do not consider it very likely that I shall ever marry,” she answered.  “And even if I did I should certainly not marry a man who would object to my doing what I consider to be my duty.  And now that we have discussed all this, Mr. Fairfax, what do you think we had better do?  I understood you to say to my uncle that you intend leaving for Paris to-morrow morning, in order to continue your search for the man Hayle.  Supposing you find him, what will you do then?”