"Ha!" Leo started up. "She told you that? Why?"

"Because she is a woman who is fond of money," said Hale, quietly.

"Knowing that my sister is in love with you, Haverleigh, she came to threaten me. She declared that she would proclaim you a thief if I did not pay her. It was her belief that such a course would break my sister's heart."

"And what did you do?"

"I told her I would inform the police if she dared to speak to me in that manner again. I believe she then went to the vicar. But if I come forward, Haverleigh, and state that I lent you the money, it will go a long way towards clearing you. Of course, I do not understand this p.a.w.ning business. The woman says she saw you."

"She saw my double, or someone dressed up to resemble me," said Leo, vehemently; "but she did not see me. I was never near the shop."

"So you say," said Hale, smiling cruelly. "However, you must see that I can help you. I will do so on one condition--no, on two."

"I can guess the two," said Leo, looking at his mean face. "You want me to surrender Sybil so that you may marry her, and to make your sister my wife? Is that not so?"

Hale smiled again. "You save me the trouble of an explanation," he said.

"Then I absolutely refuse to do what you want, Hale. I respect your sister, who is a kind and good-hearted girl; but I do not love her, and not for all the gold in the world would I marry her. On the other hand, nothing will induce me to give up Sybil. She shall never become your wife. I wonder you have the impertinence to propose such a thing to me!"

"If you don't do what I ask," said Hale, very pale and venomous, "I shall refuse to help you. I shall deny that I lent you the money."

"Deny what you please!" Leo walked to the door of the chapel.

"Everything is in your favour, and you can have me arrested if you choose. But I decline to sell my love to buy my safety. Good-day, Hale,"

and he marched away.

CHAPTER XI

THE LONDON DETECTIVE

Sybil had seen Leo go into the room where her father was waiting with Mrs Jeal, and wondered what the woman had to do with her lover. She was called out to see a sick woman on behalf of her father, and on her way home bethought herself how she could see Leo. The girl was in a perfect fever of nervous fear for the young man. Then it struck her that the best thing to do would be to call at Mr Pratt's. No sooner had she made up her mind to brave her father's anger in this respect than she went at once to The Nun's House. She feared if she delayed that her courage might evaporate.

The door was opened by Adam, who explained that Mr Pratt was from home.

"He went into Portfront to-day, miss," said Adam. "I only hope he will be able to get back this night, as there is a sea-fog coming up the Channel."

"There is no danger of his losing the road, Adam," said Sybil, cheerfully; "but I don't want to see Mr Pratt. It is Mr Haverleigh who--"

"He is in the library, miss," replied Adam, and admitted her into the house. When Sybil found herself alone with Leo she had a qualm. What would her father say should he ever come to know that she had paid such a visit?

Leo was seated at the desk, his face hidden in his arms, looking most dejected. He lifted his head as she entered, and, at the sight of his face, Sybil forgot all about her father and the impropriety of the visit. At once she ran to her lover, and drew his head down on to her breast with a look of almost divine pity. "My darling Leo," she said, "I knew that you were miserable, and I have come to comfort you."

"How good of you, dear!" replied Haverleigh, stroking her hair; "but your father? I did not think he would let you come to me."

"My father does not know that I am here," said Sybil, blushing, as he placed a chair for her; "but I knew you had been to see him, and I could not rest until I heard all about the interview. Was he very angry?"

"No; I think he is inclined to believe in my innocence in spite of Mrs Jeal's story. And Heaven knows she has painted me black enough!"

"I wondered what Mrs Jeal was doing at the Vicarage, Leo; I don't like that woman. She looks sly and wicked. But what story can she have to tell about you, dear?"

"Sybil, she says that she saw me p.a.w.ning the cup in London," and while Sybil, filled with surprise, sat looking at his agitated face, Leo told all that Mrs Jeal had said. "So you see, dear," he continued, "that there is some sort of conspiracy against me. I believe Hale is in it too."

"It is a strange story," she said musingly. "I wonder who it was could have impersonated you? Did the man give your name?"

"By Jove!" cried Leo, starting up, "I never thought of asking. Yet the rascal must have given it for the p.a.w.n-ticket. Sybil, I can't help thinking that Hale knows something about this. He saw me in the chapel an hour ago and said that he would make a statement to the effect that he had paid me the money if I would give you up and marry his sister."

Sybil's eyes flashed. "How dare he?" she cried. "He wants to drive you into a corner, Leo. What did you say?"

"I refused to have anything to do with him, dear. He can join with your father in having me arrested for all I care. I would rather that than give up my Sybil! But you see the position. What is to be done?"

"Can't you go to London and see this man Penny?"

"No. I dare not leave the place. Your father and the others would think that I was seeking safety in flight. I might be arrested before I got as far as Portfront. I don't say that your father would go so far but there is always the chance. I am sure Mrs Gabriel would not counsel mercy. For some unaccountable reason she hates me thoroughly."

"My poor Leo!" Sybil stroked his cheek. "Fate is very cruel to you. But never mind. In spite of everything I will be true to you. And what is more, Leo, I'll help you to prove your innocence."

"How can you do that, my love?"

She pursed up her pretty mouth, and, crossing her slender feet, looked on the ground with an air of portentous gravity. "I don't believe this story of Mrs Jeal's," she said; "there is something behind it. As you cannot go to London--and I see it would be foolish of you to go away from Colester at present--we must do the best we can through the newspapers."

Leo looked at her in surprise, and knelt beside her. "What can we do with the newspapers, darling?"

"Put an advertis.e.m.e.nt in every London daily paper saying that the cup has been lost, giving a description, and offering a reward if any information is given to _me_."

"To _you_, Sybil! What would your father say?"

"He won't know. Besides, Leo, darling, you are more to me even than my father, and I am angry at the unjust way in which you are being treated.

I will write out a number of these advertis.e.m.e.nts, and send them up with post-office orders. The replies to be sent to 'S. T. Colester Post-office.'"

"But what good will that do?"

"Oh, you stupid darling! I have to think for two, I see. Why, this p.a.w.nbroker--what is his name?--Penny. Well, if Penny sees the advertis.e.m.e.nt, he will recognise the cup from the description, and know that it has been stolen. He will be afraid of getting into trouble with the police, and he no doubt will write saying that the cup was p.a.w.ned with him and that he will be willing to sell it back for the price paid. Then we'll get it back, Leo. When I am certain, I'll tell my father, and he will arrange about buying it again."

"Yes. But how does all this benefit me?"

"This Penny creature will explain who p.a.w.ned it, and he will give the name of the person Mrs Jeal said resembled you. He might do that if the matter were made public by advertis.e.m.e.nt. If we approach him privately he will very likely deny everything. We can't be too careful, Leo."

"But the reward," said Haverleigh, puzzled. "I have no money; you have no money. What will you do?"

"When the cup is back, or if information is given likely to recover it, I am sure my father can arrange about the money with Mrs Gabriel. Now do not say a word, Leo. She has nothing to do with you now. And, after all," added Sybil, navely, "I don't see why any money need pa.s.s. This is a trap I am laying for that p.a.w.nbroker. That is if Mrs Jeal's story is true, which I am inclined to doubt. I'll put the advertis.e.m.e.nt in on chance, Leo, and see what comes of it."

"But it is such a mad idea," remonstrated the young man, who could not follow all these feminine arguments. "Let me tell Pratt about your suggestion. He will be able to advise us."

Sybil rose to her feet and shook her head obstinately. "If you say a word to Mr Pratt I'll never forgive you. Let me try this experiment all alone, Leo, dear. It can do no harm, and it might do a lot of good. We must not tell anyone about it."

"Sybil, I kept the fact of my borrowing that money from Hale a secret, and I have regretted it ever since. Let us ask Pratt's advice."