He had been here before us.  I found another footprint, and another leading towards the middle of the bed; and then I flung the match away, trampling the fire out in the soil.  It was no use searching farther now, for I knew well there was no diamond here for us.

I stepped back to the lawn, and caught Elzevir by the arm.  ’Aldobrand has been here before us, and stole away the jewel,’ I whispered sharp; and looking wildly round in the still night, saw the lattice of lamplight shining through the wooden blinds of the balcony window.

‘Well, there’s an end of it!’ said he, ’and we are saved further question.  ‘Tis gone, so let us cry good riddance to it and be off.’  So he turned to go back, and there was one more chance for me to choose the better way and go with him; but still I could not give the jewel up, and must go farther on the other path which led to ruin for us both.  For I had my eyes fixed on the light coming through the blinds of that window, and saw how thick and strong the boughs of the pear-tree were trained against the wall about the balcony.

‘Elzevir,’ I said, swallowing the bitter disappointment which rose in my throat, ’I cannot go till I have seen what is doing in that room above.  I will climb to the balcony and look in through the chinks’.  Perhaps he is not there, perhaps he has left our diamond there and we may get it back again.’  So I went straight to the house, not giving him time to raise a word to stop me, for there was something in me driving me on, and I was not to be stopped by anyone from that purpose.

There was no need to fear any seeing us, for all the windows except that one, were tight shuttered, and though our footsteps on the soft lawn woke no sound, I knew that Elzevir was following me.  It was no easy task to climb the pear-tree, for all that the boughs looked so strong, for they lay close against the wall, and gave little hold for hand or foot.  Twice, or more, an unripe pear was broken off, and fell rustling down through the leaves to earth, and I paused and waited to hear if anyone was disturbed in the room above; but all was deathly still, and at last I got my hand upon the parapet, and so came safe to the balcony.

I was panting from the hard climb, yet did not wait to get my breath, but made straight for the window to see what was going on inside.  The outer shutters were still flung back, as they had been in the afternoon, and there was no difficulty in looking in, for I found an opening in the lattice-blind just level with my eyes, and could see all the room inside.  It was well lit, as for a marriage feast, and I think there were a score of candles or more burning in holders on the table, or in sconces on the wall.  At the table, on the farther side of it from me, and facing the window, sat Aldobrand, just as he sat when he told us the stone was a sham.  His face was turned towards the window, and as I looked full at him it seemed impossible but that he should know that I was there.