chap has been making up to you, and you've been just like all other
women, and have turned a soft place in your heart to him; and he came
last night a-lovyering, and you had him up in the nursery, and he made
use of his opportunities, and made off with a few things on his way
down! Come, now, Norah; it's no blame to you, only you must not be
such a fool again! Tell us,' he continued, 'what name he gave you,
Norah. I'll be bound, it was not the right one; but it will be a clue
for the police.'

Norah drew herself up. 'You may ask that question, and taunt me with
my being single, and with my credulity, as you will, Master Openshaw.
You'll get no answer from me. As for the brooch, and the story of
theft and burglary; if any friend ever came to see me (which I defy
you to prove, and deny), he'd be just as much above doing such a thing
as you yourself, Mr Openshaw--and more so, too; for I'm not at all
sure as everything you have is rightly come by, or would be yours
long, if every man had his own.' She meant, of course, his wife; but
he understood her to refer to his property in goods and chattels.

'Now, my good woman,' said he, 'I'll just tell you truly, I never
trusted you out and out; but my wife liked you, and I thought you had
many a good point about you. If you once begin to sauce me, I'll have
the police to you, and get out the truth in a court of justice, if
you'll not tell it me quietly and civilly here. Now, the best thing
you can do is quietly to tell me who the fellow is. Look here! a man
comes to my house; asks for you; you take him upstairs; a valuable
brooch is missing next day; we know that you, and Mary, and cook, are
honest; but you refuse to tell us who the man is. Indeed, you've told
me one lie already about him, saying no one was here last night. Now,
I just put it to you, what do you think a policeman would say to this,