The two men walked back over the bleak cliffs together, and for the greater part of the way in silence; at last the curate spoke.

He told the Jew quite truly that he believed the vicar's wife had his jewel, and that he supposed she must have come by it according to his worst suspicions.

'But,' he added, 'I believe she is a good woman.' The other looked at him in simple surprise.

'That is very curious,' he said.
'Let us not try to find out her secret by prying; let us go to her to-morrow, and tell her openly what we think.

You fear that she will deny her action; I have no such fear; and if she does not stand our test, I give you my word for it, you shall not be the loser.' 'I have put my case in your hands,' said the Jew.