Mr.
Rider," raising his voice and addressing the detective, "will you allow
Mrs. Montague to remain alone with Miss Dinsmore for a little while, as I
wish to confer with you upon a matter of importance?"
The detective took a swift survey of the room before answering. It was
evident that he had no intention of allowing his captive to escape him
now after all his previous efforts to secure her.
"Yes," he replied, "I will go with you into the hall, if that will do."
He knew that in the hall he should be able to keep his eyes upon both
doors of the drawing-room, and no one could pass in and out without his
knowing it, while there was no other way of egress.
The four gentlemen accordingly withdrew, thus leaving Mona and Mrs.
Montague by themselves.
Mona seated herself by a window, and as far as possible from the woman,
for she shrank with the greatest aversion from her, while she felt that
her own presence must be oppressive and full of reproach to her.
But the woman's curiosity was for the moment greater than her anxiety or
remorse, and after a brief silence, she abruptly inquired:
"How did that detective find that box of diamonds?"
"He did not find them. I accidentally discovered them," Mona replied.
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