“Now,” said Random, rising to go, “I shall tell what you have told me to the Professor, and—­”

“And hand me over to the police,” said Mrs. Jasher, shrugging her plump shoulders, “Well, I expected that.  Yet I fancied for old times’ sake that you might have been more lenient.”

“We were never anything but acquaintances, Mrs. Jasher,” said Random coldly, “so I fail to see why you should expect mercy after the way in which you have behaved.  You expect to blackmail me, and yet go free.  I must punish you somehow, so I shall tell Professor Braddock, as you certainly cannot marry him.  But I shall not hand you over to the police.”

“You won’t?” Mrs. Jasher stared, scarcely able to believe her ears.

“No.  Give me a day to think over matters, and I shall arrange what to do with you.  I think there is some good in you, Mrs. Jasher, and so I shall see if I can’t assist you.  In the meantime I shall have your cottage watched, so that you may not run away.”

“In that case, you may as well hand me over to the police,” she said bitterly.

“Not at all,” rejoined Random coolly.  “I can trust my servant, who is stupid but honest and is devoted to me.  I’ll see that everything is kept quiet.  But if you attempt to run away I shall have you arrested for blackmail.  You understand?”

“Yes.  You are treating me very well,” she gasped.  “When shall I see you?”

“To-morrow evening.  I must talk the matter over with Braddock.  To-morrow I shall arrange what to do, and probably I shall give you a chance of leading a new life in some other part of the world.  What do you say?”

“I accept.  Indeed, there is nothing else left for me to do.”

“That is an ungrateful speech,” said Random severely.

“I daresay.  However, we can talk of gratitude to-morrow.  Meanwhile, please leave me.”

Sir Frank went to the door and there paused.

“Remember,” he said distinctly, “that your cottage is being watched.  Try to escape and I shall have you arrested.”

Mrs. Jasher groaned and buried her face in the sofa cushion.

CHAPTER XXII

A WEDDING PRESENT

Mrs. Jasher had thought Random exceedingly clever in acting as he had done to trap her.  She would have thought him still more clever had she known that he trusted to the power of suggestion to prevent her from trying to escape.  Sir Frank had not the slightest intention of setting his soldier-servant to watch, as such was not the duty for which such servants are hired.  But having impressed firmly on the adventuress’s mind that he would act in this way, he departed, quite certain that the woman would not attempt to run away.  Although no one was watching the cottage, Mrs. Jasher, believing what had been told her, would think that sharp eyes were on her doors and windows day and night, and would firmly believe that if she tried to get away she would be captured forthwith by the Pierside police, or perhaps by the village constable.  Like an Eastern enchanter, the baronet had placed a spell on the cottage, and it acted admirably.  Mrs. Jasher, although longing to escape and hide herself, remained where she was, cowed by a spy who did not exist.