If he made a mystery of the affair, that, too, would intrigue her.

And there you were, 'twixt the devil and the deep blue sea.

Hang it, what evil luck had stirred him to tell her about those emeralds?
Already she was building a story to satisfy her dramatic fancy.

Two and two made four--which signified that she was her father's daughter, that she would not rest until she had explored every corner of this dark room.

Wanting to keep her out of it, and then dragging her into it through his cupidity.