And to make certain that you don't get the money elsewhere, I'll just take along this vault of the First National Bank as security"-- with which he slipped Mrs.De Peyster's pearl pendant into his pocket.

"Now, think the matter over, girls.

I'll be back in half an hour.

So-long for the present." The door closed behind him.
Mrs.De Peyster gazed wildly after him.

The plan "soaked in," as he had said it would; and as it soaked in, her horror grew.