Before reaching home, she had surveyed her position, searched her memory.  ’The wretch is counting on my weakness.  Knowing she can do nothing, she thinks I shall be frightened by the threat.  Money?  And perhaps all she said only a lie to tempt me!  Let her do her worst —­ and that will be nothing.’

And by this she held, letting the days go by.  The fortnight passed.  She was ill with apprehension, with suspense; but nothing happened.  Three weeks, and nothing happened.  Then Alma laughed, and went about the house singing her deliverance.

On that day, Mrs. Strangeways sat talking with Mrs. Carnaby, in the latter’s drawing-room.  Her manner was deferential, but that of a friend.  Sibyl, queening it at some distance, had the air of conferring a favour as she listened.

’I haven’t the least doubt that I shall soon lay my hand upon her.  I have had an answer to my last advertisement.’

‘Then let me see it,’ replied Sibyl coldly.

’Impossible.  I put myself in a position of much danger.  I dare not trust even you, Mrs. Carnaby.’

’Very well.  You know my promise.  Get her into the hands of the police, and your reward is waiting.’

’But I may lose my opportunity, for want of money.  If you would trust me with only —­ say a hundred pounds.’

’Not a farthing.  I didn’t ask you to undertake this.  If you do it, well and good, I will pay you.  But nothing till then.’

Mrs. Strangeways perused the carpet.

‘Anyone else,’ she murmured, ’might be tempted to think that you didn’t really care to have her caught.’

‘You may be tempted to think exactly what you like,’ answered Sibyl, with fine scorn.

The other scrutinised her, with an eye of anxious uncertainty.

‘Have you thought, again, of taking any steps in the other matter?’

‘Have you anything to show?’

’No.  But it can be obtained.  A charge of slander could be brought against her at any moment.  If you prefer libel, it is merely taking a little trouble.’

Sibyl reflected.

’There is no hurry.  I will pay you, as I said, for any trustworthy evidence —­ of any kind.  You bring me none. —­ Does she come to see you?’

‘Occasionally.’

‘And —­ have you succeeded in making her pay?’ asked Sibyl, with a curl of the lips.

Mrs. Strangeways merely smiled.  After a brief pause, Sibyl looked at her watch, and rose.

’I have an engagement.  And —­ pray don’t trouble to come again unless you have really something to come for.  I can’t pretend to have any taste for this kind of conversation.  It really matters very little; we know that woman will be caught some day, and I shall have the pleasure of prosecuting her for stealing my jewellery and things.  The other person —­ perhaps she is a little beneath my notice.’

She rang the bell, and Mrs. Strangeways, having no alternative, slightly bent her head and withdrew.