"I refused to have anything to do with him, dear. He can join with your father in having me arrested for all I care. I would rather that than give up my Sybil! But you see the position. What is to be done?"
"Can't you go to London and see this man Penny?"
"No. I dare not leave the place. Your father and the others would think that I was seeking safety in flight. I might be arrested before I got as far as Portfront. I don't say that your father would go so far but there is always the chance. I am sure Mrs Gabriel would not counsel mercy. For some unaccountable reason she hates me thoroughly."
"My poor Leo!" Sybil stroked his cheek. "Fate is very cruel to you. But never mind. In spite of everything I will be true to you. And what is more, Leo, I'll help you to prove your innocence."
She pursed up her pretty mouth, and, crossing her slender feet, looked on the ground with an air of portentous gravity. "I don't believe this story of Mrs Jeal's," she said; "there is something behind it. As you cannot go to London--and I see it would be foolish of you to go away from Colester at present--we must do the best we can through the newspapers."
Leo looked at her in surprise, and knelt beside her. "What can we do with the newspapers, darling?"
"Put an advertisement in every London daily paper saying that the cup has been lost, giving a description, and offering a reward if any information is given to _me_."
"To _you_, Sybil! What would your father say?"
"He won't know. Besides, Leo, darling, you are more to me even than my father, and I am angry at the unjust way in which you are being treated. I will write out a number of these advertisements, and send them up with post-office orders. The replies to be sent to 'S. T. Colester Post-office.'"
"Oh, you stupid darling! I have to think for two, I see. Why, this pawnbroker--what is his name?--Penny. Well, if Penny sees the advertisement, he will recognise the cup from the description, and know that it has been stolen. He will be afraid of getting into trouble with the police, and he no doubt will write saying that the cup was pawned with him and that he will be willing to sell it back for the price paid. Then we'll get it back, Leo. When I am certain, I'll tell my father, and he will arrange about buying it again."