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diff --git a/old/sctps10.txt b/old/sctps10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b39717d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/sctps10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12448 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Secret Passage, by Fergus Hume +#3 in our series by Fergus Hume + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before distributing this or any other +Project Gutenberg file. + +We encourage you to keep this file, exactly as it is, on your +own disk, thereby keeping an electronic path open for future +readers. Please do not remove this. + +This header should be the first thing seen when anyone starts to +view the etext. 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Hart +and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.] +[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales +of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or +software or any other related product without express permission.] + +*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.10/04/01*END* + + + + + + +This etext was produced by an anonymous volunteer + + + + +THE SECRET PASSAGE by Fergus Hume + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + +I. THE COTTAGE + +II. THE CRIME + +III. A MYSTERIOUS DEATH + +IV. DETAILS + +V. LORD CARANBY'S ROMANCE + +VI. A PERPLEXING CASE + +VII. THE DETECTIVE + +VIII. THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE + +IX. ANOTHER MYSTERY + +X. THE PARLOR-MAID'S STORY + +XI. ON THE TRACK + +XII. JENNINGS ASKS QUESTIONS + +XIII. JULIET AT BAY + +XIV. MRS. OCTAGON EXPLAINS + +XV. A DANGEROUS ADMISSION + +XVI. JULIET'S STORY + +XVII. JULIET'S STORY CONTINUED + +XVIII. THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + +XIX. SUSAN'S DISCOVERY + +XX. BASIL + +XXI. AN EXPERIMENT + +XXII. THE SECRET ENTRANCE + +XXIII. A SCAMP'S HISTORY + +XXIV. REVENGE + +XXV. NEMESIS + +XXVI. CUTHBERT'S ENEMY + + + + + + +THE SECRET PASSAGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE COTTAGE + + +"What IS your name?" + +"Susan Grant, Miss Loach." + +"Call me ma'am. I am Miss Loach only to my equals. Your +age?" + +"Twenty-five, ma'am." + +"Do you know your work as parlor-maid thoroughly?" + +"Yes, ma'am. I was two years in one place and six months in +another, ma'am. Here are my characters from both places, +ma'am." + +As the girl spoke she laid two papers before the sharp old +lady who questioned her. But Miss Loach did not look at them +immediately. She examined the applicant with such close +attention that a faint color tinted the girl's cheeks and she +dropped her eyes. But, in her turn, by stealthy glances, +Susan Grant tactfully managed to acquaint herself with the +looks of her possible mistress. The thoughts of each woman +ran as follows,-- + +Miss Loach to herself. "Humph! Plain-looking, sallow skin, +rather fine eyes and a slack mouth. Not badly dressed for a +servant, and displays some taste. She might turn my old +dresses at a pinch. Sad expression, as though she had +something on her mind. Honest-looking, but I think a trifle +inquisitive, seeing how she examined the room and is stealing +glances at me. Talks sufficiently, but in a low voice. +Fairly intelligent, but not too much so. Might be secretive. +Humph!" + +The thoughts of Susan Grant. "Handsome old lady, probably +nearly sixty. Funny dress for ten o'clock in the morning. +She must be rich, to wear purple silk and old lace and lovely +rings at this hour. A hard mouth, thin nose, very white hair +and very black eyebrows. Got a temper I should say, and is +likely to prove an exacting mistress. But I want a quiet +home, and the salary is good. I'll try it, if she'll take +me." + +Had either mistress or maid known of each other's thoughts, a +conclusion to do business might not have been arrived at. As +it was, Miss Loach, after a few more questions, appeared +satisfied. All the time she kept a pair of very black eyes +piercingly fixed on the girl's face, as though she would read +her very soul. But Susan had nothing to conceal, so far as +Miss Loach could gather, so in the end she resolved to engage +her. + +"I think you'll do," she said nodding, and poking up the fire, +with a shiver, although the month was June. "The situation is +a quiet one. I hope you have no followers." + +"No, ma'am," said Susan and flushed crimson. + +"Ha!" thought Miss Loach, "she has been in love--jilted +probably. All the better, as she won't bring any young men +about my quiet house." + +"Will you not read my characters, ma'am?" + +Miss Loach pushed the two papers towards the applicant. "I +judge for myself," said she calmly. "Most characters I read +are full of lies. Your looks are enough for me. Where were +you last?" + +"With a Spanish lady, ma'am!" + +"A Spanish lady!" Miss Loach dropped the poker she was +holding, with a clatter, and frowned so deeply that her black +eyebrows met over her high nose. "And her name?" + +"Senora Gredos, ma'am!" + +The eyes of the old maid glittered, and she made a clutch at +her breast as though the reply had taken away her breath. +"Why did you leave?" she asked, regaining her composure. + +Susan looked uncomfortable. "I thought the house was too gay, +ma'am." + +"What do you mean by that? Can any house be too gay for a +girl of your years?" + +"I have been well brought up, ma'am," said Susan quietly; "and +my religious principles are dear to me. Although she is an +invalid, ma'am, Senora Gredos was very gay. Many people came +to her house and played cards, even on Sunday," added Susan +under her breath. But low as she spoke, Miss Loach heard. + +"I have whist parties here frequently," she said drily; +"nearly every evening four friends of mine call to play. Have +you any objection to enter my service on that account?" + +"Oh, no, ma'am. I don't mind a game of cards. I play +'Patience' myself when alone. I mean gambling--there was a +lot of money lost and won at Senora Gredos' house!" + +"Yet she is an invalid I think you said?" + +"Yes, ma'am. She was a dancer, I believe, and fell in some +way, so as to break her leg or hurt her back. She has been +lying on a couch for two years unable to move. Yet she has +herself wheeled into the drawing-room and watches the +gentlemen play cards. She plays herself sometimes!" + +Miss Loach again directed one of her piercing looks at the +pale face of the girl. "You are too inquisitive and too +talkative," she said suddenly, "therefore you won't suit me. +Good-day." + +Susan was quite taken aback. "Oh, ma'am, I hope I've said +nothing wrong. I only answered your questions." + +"You evidently take note of everything you see, and talk about +it." + +"No, ma'am," said the girl earnestly. "I really hold my +tongue." + +"When it suits you," retorted Miss Loach. "Hold it now and +let me think!" + +While Miss Loach, staring frowningly into the fire, debated +inwardly as to the advisability of engaging the girl, Susan +looked timidly round the room. Curiously enough, it was +placed in the basement of the cottage, and was therefore below +the level of the garden. Two fairly large windows looked on +to the area, which had been roofed with glass and turned into +a conservatory. Here appeared scarlet geraniums and other +bright-hued flowers, interspersed with ferns and delicate +grasses. Owing to the position of the room and the presence +of the glass roof, only a subdued light filtered into the +place, but, as the day was brilliant with sunshine, the +apartment was fairly well illuminated. Still, on a cloudy +day, Susan could imagine how dull it would be. In winter time +the room must be perfectly dark. + +It was luxuriously furnished, in red and gold. The carpet and +curtains were of bright scarlet, threaded with gold. The +furniture, strangely enough, was of white polished wood +upholstered in crimson satin fringed with gold. There were +many pictures in large gilded frames and many mirrors +similarly encircled with gilded wood. The grate, fender and +fire-irons were of polished brass, and round the walls were +numerous electric lamps with yellow shades. The whole room +represented a bizarre appearance, flamboyant and rather +tropical in looks. Apparently Miss Loach was fond of vivid +colors. There was no piano, nor were there books or papers, +and the only evidence as to how Miss Loach passed her time +revealed itself in a work-basket and a pack of cards. Yet, at +her age, Susan thought that needlework would be rather trying, +even though she wore no glasses and her eyes seemed bright and +keen. She was an odd old lady and appeared to be rich. "I'll +engage you," said Miss Loach abruptly; "get your box and be +here before five o'clock this afternoon. I am expecting some +friends at eight o'clock. You must be ready to admit them. +Now go!" + +"But, ma'am, I--" + +"In this house," interrupted Miss Loach imperiously, "no one +speaks to me, unless spoken to by me. You understand!" + +"Yes, ma'am," replied Susan timidly, and obeyed the finger +which pointed to the door. Miss Loach listened to the girl's +footsteps on the stairs, and sat down when she heard the front +door close. But she was up again almost in a moment and +pacing the room. Apparently the conversation with Susan Grant +afforded her food for reflection. And not very palatable food +either, judging from her expression. + +The newly-engaged servant returned that same afternoon to the +suburban station, which tapped the district of Rexton. A +trunk, a bandbox and a bag formed her humble belongings, and +she arranged with a porter that these should be wheeled in a +barrow to Rose Cottage, as Miss Loach's abode was primly +called. Having come to terms, Susan left the station and set +out to walk to the place. Apart from the fact that she saved +a cab fare, she wished to obtain some idea of her +surroundings, and therefore did not hurry herself. + +It was a bright June day with a warm green earth basking under +a blue and cloudless sky. But even the sunshine could not +render Rexton beautiful. It stretched out on all sides from +the station new and raw. The roads were finished, with +asphalt footpaths and stone curbing, the lamp-posts had +apparently only been lately erected, and lines of white fences +divided the roads from gardens yet in their infancy. Fronting +these were damp-looking red brick villas, belonging to small +clerks and petty tradesmen. Down one street was a row of +shops filled with the necessaries of civilization; and round +the corner, an aggressively new church of yellow brick with a +tin roof and a wooden steeple stood in the middle of an +untilled space. At the end of one street a glimpse could be +caught of the waste country beyond, not yet claimed by the +ferry-builder. A railway embankment bulked against the +horizon, and closed the view in an unsightly manner. Rexton +was as ugly as it was new. + +Losing her way, Susan came to the ragged fringe of country +environing the new suburb, and paused there, to take in her +surroundings. Across the fields to the left she saw an +unfinished mansion, large and stately, rising amidst a forest +of pines. This was girdled by a high brick wall which looked +older than the suburb itself. Remembering that she had seen +this house behind the cottage of Miss Loach, the girl used it +as a landmark, and turning down a side street managed to find +the top of a crooked lane at the bottom of which Rose Cottage +was situated. This lane showed by its very crookedness that +it belonged to the ancient civilization of the district. Here +were no paths, no lamps, no aggressively new fences and raw +brick houses. Susan, stepping down the slight incline, passed +into quite an old world, smacking of the Georgian times, +leisurely and quaint. On either side of the lane, +old-fashioned cottages, with whitewash walls and thatched +roofs, stood amidst gardens filled with unclipped greenery and +homely flowers. Quickset hedges, ragged and untrimmed, +divided these from the roadway, and to add to the rural look +one garden possessed straw bee-hives. Here and there rose +ancient elm-trees and grass grew in the roadway. It was a +blind lane and terminated in a hedge, which bordered a field +of corn. To the left was a narrow path running between hedges +past the cottages and into the country. + +Miss Loach's house was a mixture of old and new. Formerly it +had been an unpretentious cottage like the others, but she had +added a new wing of red brick built in the most approved style +of the jerry-builder, and looking like the villas in the more +modern parts of Rexton. The crabbed age and the uncultured +youth of the old and new portions, planted together cheek by +jowl, appeared like ill-coupled clogs and quite out of +harmony. The thatched and tiled roofs did not seem meet +neighbors, and the whitewash walls of the old-world cottage +looked dingy beside the glaring redness of the new villa. The +front door in the new part was reached by a flight of dazzling +white steps. From this, a veranda ran across the front of the +cottage, its rustic posts supporting rose-trees and ivy. On +the cottage side appeared an old garden, but the new wing was +surrounded by lawns and decorated with carpet bedding. A +gravel walk divided the old from the new, and intersected the +garden. At the back, Susan noted again the high brick wall +surrounding the half-completed mansion. Above this rose tall +trees, and the wall itself was overgrown with ivy. It +apparently was old and concealed an unfinished palace of the +sleeping beauty, so ragged and wild appeared the growth which +peeped over the guardian wall. + +With a quickness of perception unusual in her class, Susan +took all this in, then rang the bell. There was no back door, +so far as she could see, and she thought it best to enter as +she had done in the morning. But the large fat woman who +opened the door gave her to understand that she had taken a +liberty. + +"Of course this morning and before engaging, you were a lady," +said the cook, hustling the girl into the hall, "but now being +the housemaid, Miss Loach won't be pleased at your touching +the front bell." + +"I did not see any other entrance," protested Susan. + +"Ah," said the cook, leading the way down a few steps into the +thatched cottage, which, it appeared was the servants' quarters, +"you looked down the area as is natural-like. But there ain't +none, it being a conservitery!" + +"Why does Miss Loach live in the basement?" asked Susan, on +being shown into a comfortable room which answered the purpose +of a servants' hall. + +The cook resented this question. "Ah!" said she with a snort, +"and why does a miller wear a white 'at, Miss Grant, that +being your name I take it. Don't you ask no questions but if +you must know, Miss Loach have weak eyes and don't like glare. +She lives like a rabbit in a burrow, and though the rooms on +the ground floor are sich as the King might in'abit, she don't +come up often save to eat. She lives in the basement room +where you saw her, Miss Grant, and she sleeps in the room orf. +When she eats, the dining-room above is at her service. An' I +don't see why she shouldn't," snorted the cook. + +"I don't mean any--" + +"No offence being given none is taken," interrupted cook, who +seemed fond of hearing her own wheezy voice. "Emily Pill's my +name, and I ain't ashamed of it, me having been cook to Miss +Loach for years an' years and years. But if you had wished to +behave like a servant, as you are," added she with emphasis, +"why didn't you run round by the veranda and so get to the +back where the kitchen is. But you're one of the new class of +servants, Miss Grant, 'aughty and upsetting." + +"I know my place," said Susan, taking off her hat. + +"And I know mine," said Emily Pill, "me being cook and +consequently the mistress of this servants' 'all. An' I'm an +old-fashioned servant myself, plain in my 'abits and dress." +This with a disparaging look at the rather smart costume of +the newly-arrived housemaid. "I don't 'old with cockes +feathers and fal-de-dals on 'umble folk myself, not but what I +could afford 'em if I liked, being of saving 'abits and a +receiver of good wages. But I'm a friendly pusson and not +'ard on a good-lookin' gal, not that you are what I call +'andsome." + +Susan seated beside the table, looked weary and forlorn, and +the good-natured heart of the cook was touched, especially +when Susan requested her to refrain from the stiff name of +Miss Grant. + +"You an' me will be good friends, I've no doubt," said Emily, +"an' you can call me Mrs. Pill, that being the name of my late +'usband, who died of gin in excess. The other servants is +housemaid and page, though to be sure he's more of a +man-of-all-work, being forty if he's a day, and likewise +coachman, when he drives out Miss Loach in her donkey +carriage. Thomas is his name, my love." The cook was rapidly +becoming more and more friendly, "and the housemaid is called +Geraldine, for which 'eaven forgives her parents, she bein' +spotty and un'ealthy and by no means a Bow-Bell's 'eroine, +which 'er name makes you think of. But there's a dear, I'm +talking brilliant, when you're dying for a cup of tea, and +need to get your box unpacked, by which I mean that I sees the +porter with the barrer." + +The newly-arrived parlor-maid was pleased by this friendly if +ungrammatical reception, and thought she would like the cook +in spite of her somewhat tiresome tongue. For the next hour +she was unpacking her box and arranging a pleasant little room +at the back. She shared this with the spotty Geraldine, who +seemed to be a good-natured girl. Apparently Miss Loach +looked after her servants and made them comfortable. Thomas +proved to be amiable if somewhat stupid, and welcomed Susan to +tea affably but with sheepish looks. As the servants seemed +pleasant, the house comfortable, and as the salary was +excellent, Susan concluded that she had--as the saying is-- +fallen on her feet. + +The quartette had tea in the servants' hall, and there was +plenty of well-cooked if plain victuals. Miss Loach dined at +half-past six and Susan assumed her dress and cap. She laid +the table in a handsome dining-room, equally as garish in +color as the apartment below. The table appointments were +elegant, and Mrs. Pill served a nice little meal to which Miss +Loach did full justice. She wore the same purple dress, but +with the addition of more jewellery. Her sharp eyes followed +Susan about the room as she waited, and at the end of the +dinner she made her first observation. "You know your work I +see," she said. "I hope you will be happy here!" + +"I think I will, ma'am," said Susan, with a faint sigh. + +"You have had trouble?" asked Miss Loach quickly. + +"Yes, ma'am!" + +"You must tell me about it to-morrow," said the old lady +rising. "I like to gain the confidence of my servants. Now +bring my coffee to the room below. At eight, three people +will arrive--a lady and two gentlemen. You will show them +into the sitting-room and put out the card-table. Then you +can go to the kitchen and wait till I ring. Be sure you don't +come till I do ring," and Miss Loach emphasized this last +order with a flash of her brilliant eyes. + +Susan took the coffee to the sitting-room in the basement and +then cleared the table. Shortly before eight o'clock there +was a ring at the front door. She opened it to a tall lady, +with gray hair, who leaned on an ebony cane. With her were +two men, one a rather rough foolish-looking fellow, and the +other tall, dark, and well-dressed in an evening suit. A +carriage was just driving away from the gate. As the tall +lady entered, a breath of strong perfume saluted Susan's +nostrils. The girl started and peered into the visitor's +face. When she returned to the kitchen her own was as white +as chalk. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE CRIME + + +The kitchen was rather spacious, and as neat and clean as the +busy hands of Mrs. Pill could make it. An excellent range +polished to excess occupied one end of the room; a dresser +with blue and white china adorned the other. On the outside +wall copper pots and pans, glittering redly in the firelight, +were ranged in a shining row. Opposite this wall, a door led +into the interior of the house, and in it was the outer +entrance. A large deal table stood in the center of the room, +and at this with their chairs drawn up, Geraldine and the cook +worked. The former was trimming a picture-hat of the cheapest +and most flamboyant style, and the latter darned a coarse +white stocking intended for her own use. By the fire sat +Thomas, fair-haired and stupid in looks, who read tit-bits +from the Daily Mail for the delectation of Mrs. Pill and +Geraldine. + +"Gracious 'eavens, Susan," cried the cook, when Susan +returned, after admitting the visitors, "whatever's come to +you?" + +"I've had a turn," said Susan faintly, sitting by the fire and +rubbing her white cheeks. + +At once Mrs. Pill was alive with curiosity. She questioned +the new parlor-maid closely, but was unable to extract +information. Susan simply said that she had a weak heart, and +set down her wan appearance to the heat. "An' on that +accounts you sits by the fire," said Mrs. Pill scathingly. +"You're one of the secret ones you are. Well, it ain't no +business of mine, thank 'eaven, me being above board in +everythink. I 'spose the usual lot arrived, Susan?" + +"Two gentlemen and a lady," replied Susan, glad to see that +the cooks thoughts were turning in another direction. + +"Gentlemen!" snorted Mrs. Pill, "that Clancy one ain't. Why +the missus should hobnob with sich as he, I don't know nohow." + +"Ah, but the other's a real masher," chimed in Geraldine, +looking up from her millinery; "such black eyes, that go +through you like a gimlet, and such a lovely moustache. He +dresses elegant too." + +"Being Miss Loach's lawyer, he have a right to dress well," +said Mrs. Pill, rubbing her nose with the stocking, "and Mr. +Clancy, I thinks, is someone Mr. Jarvey Hale's helpin', he +being good and kind." + +Here Geraldine gave unexpected information. + +"He's a client of Mr. Hale's," she said indistinctly, with her +mouth full of pins, "and has come in for a lot of money. Mr. +Hale's introducing him into good society, to make a gent of +him." + +"Silk purses can't be made out of sows' ears," growled the +cook, "an' who told you all this Geraldine?" + +"Miss Loach herself, at different times." + +Susan thought it was strange that a lady should gossip to this +extent with her housemaid, but she did not take much interest +in the conversation, being occupied with her own sad thoughts. +But the next remark of Geraldine made her start. "Mr. Clancy's +father was a carpenter," said the girl. + +"My father was a carpenter," remarked Susan, sadly. + +"Ah," cried Mrs. Pill with alacrity, "now you're speaking +sense. Ain't he alive?" + +"No. He was poisoned!" + +The three servants, having the love of horrors peculiar to the +lower classes, looked up with interest. "Lor!" said Thomas, +speaking for the first time and in a thick voice, "who +poisoned him?" + +"No one knows. He died five years ago, and left mother with +me and four little brothers to bring up. They're all doing +well now, though, and I help mother, as they do. They didn't +want me to go out to service, you know," added Susan, warming +on finding sympathetic listeners. "I could have stopped at +home with mother in Stepney, but I did not want to be idle, +and took a situation with a widow lady at Hampstead. I +stopped there a year. Then she died and I went as parlor-maid +to a Senora Gredos. I was only there six months," and she +sighed. + +"Why did you leave?" asked Geraldine. + +Susan grew red. "I wished for a change," she said curtly. + +But the housemaid did not believe her. She was a sharp girl +and her feelings were not refined. "It's just like these men--" + +"I said nothing about men," interrupted Susan, sharply. + +"Well, then, a man. You've been in love, Susan, and--" + +"No. I am not in love," and Susan colored more than ever. + +"Why, it's as plain as cook that you are, now," tittered +Geraldine. + +"Hold your noise and leave the gal be," said Mrs. Pill, +offended by the allusion to her looks, "if she's in love she +ain't married, and no more she ought to be; if she'd had a +husband like mine, who drank every day in the week and lived +on my earnings. He's dead now, an' I gave 'im a 'andsome +tombstone with the text: 'Go thou and do likewise' on it, +being a short remark, lead letterin' being expensive. Ah +well, as I allays say, 'Flesh is grass with us all.'" + +While the cook maundered on Thomas sat with his dull eyes +fixed on the flushed face of Susan. "What about the poisoning?" +he demanded. + +"It was this way," said Susan. "Father was working at some +house in these parts--" + +"What! Down here?" + +"Yes, at Rexton, which was then just rising into notice as a +place for gentlefolks. He had just finished with a house when +he came home one day with his wages. He was taken ill and +died. The doctor said he had taken poison, and he died of it. +Arsenic it was," explained Susan to her horrified audience. + +"But why did he poison himself?" asked Geraldine. + +"I don't know: no one knew. He was gettin' good wages, and +said he would make us all rich." + +"Ah," chimed in Thomas suddenly, "in what way, Susan?" + +"He had a scheme to make our fortunes. What it was, I don't +know. But he said he would soon be worth plenty of money. +Mother thought someone must have poisoned him, but she could +not find out. As we had a lot of trouble then, it was thought +father had killed himself to escape it, but I know better. If +he had lived, we should have been rich. He was on an extra +job down here," she ended. + +"What was the extra job?" asked Thomas curiously. + +Susan shook her head. "Mother never found out. She went to +the house he worked on, which is near the station. They said +father always went away for three hours every afternoon by an +arrangement with the foreman. Where he went, no one knew. He +came straight from this extra job home and died of poison. +Mother thought," added Susan, looking round cautiously, "that +someone must have had a wish to get rid of father, he knowing +too much." + +"Too much of what, my gal?" asked Mrs. Pill, with open mouth. + +"Ah! That's what I'd like to find out," said Susan +garrulously, "but nothing was ever known, and father was +buried as a suicide. Then mother, having me and my four +brothers, married again, and I took the name of her new +husband." + +"Then your name ain't really Grant?" asked Geraldine. + +"No! It's Maxwell, father being Scotch and a clever workman. +Susan Maxwell is my name, but after the suicide--if it was +one--mother felt the disgrace so, that she made us all call +ourselves Grant. So Susan Grant I am, and my brothers of the +old family are Grant also." + +"What do you mean by the old family?" + +"Mother has three children by her second husband, and that's +the new family," explained Susan, "but we are all Grants, +though me and my four brothers are really Maxwells. But +there," she said, looking round quietly and rather pleased at +the interest with which she was regarded, "I've told you a +lot. Tell me something!" + +Mrs. Pill was unwilling to leave the fascinating subject of +suicide, but her desire to talk got the better of her, and she +launched into a long account of her married life. It seemed +she had buried the late Mr. Pill ten years before, and since +that time had been with Miss Loach as cook. She had saved +money and could leave service at once, if she so chose. "But +I should never be happy out of my kitchen, my love," said Mrs. +Pill, biting a piece of darning-cotton, "so here I stay till +missus goes under." + +"And she won't do that for a long time," said Thomas. "Missus +is strong. A good, kind, healthy lady." + +Geraldine followed with an account of herself, which related +chiefly to her good looks and many lovers, and the tyranny of +mistresses. "I will say, however, that after being here a +year, I have nothing to complain of." + +"I should think not," grunted Thomas. "I've been twenty years +with Miss Loach, and a good 'un she is. I entered her service +when I was fifteen, and she could have married an earl--Lord +Caranby wanted to marry her--but she wouldn't." + +"Lor," said Mrs. Pill, "and ain't that his lordship's nephew +who comes here at times?" + +"Mr. Mallow? Yes! That's him. He's fond of the old lady." + +"And fond of her niece, too," giggled Geraldine; "not but what +Miss Saxon is rather sweet." + +"Rather sweet," growled the cook, "why, she's a lovely gal, +sich as you'll never be, in spite of your fine name. An' her +brother, Mr. Basil, is near as 'andsome as she." + +"He ain't got the go about him Miss Juliet have," said Thomas. + +"A lot you know," was the cook's retort. "Why Mr. Basil +quarrelled with missus a week ago and gave her proper, and +missus ain't no easy person to fight with, as I knows. Mr. +Basil left the house and ain't been near since." + +"He's a fool, then," said Thomas. "Missus won't leave him a +penny." + +"She'll leave it to Miss Juliet Saxon, which is just the same. +I never did see brother and sister so fond of one another as +those two. I believe she'd put the 'air of 'er head--and +lovely 'air it is, too--under his blessed feet to show him +she loves him." + +"She'd do the same by Mr. Mallow," said Geraldine, tittering. + +Here Susan interrupted. "Who is the old lady who comes here?" + +"Oh, she's Mrs. Herne," said the cook. "A cross, 'aughty old +thing, who fights always. She's been coming here with Mr. +Jarvey Hale and Mr. Clancy for the last three years. They +play whist every evening and go away regular about ten. +Missus let's 'em out themselves or else rings for me. Why, +there's the bell now," and Mrs. Pill rose. + +"No! I go," said Susan, rising also. "Miss Loach told me to +come when she rang." + +Mrs. Pill nodded and resumed her seat and her darning. "Lor +bless you, my love, I ain't jealous," she said. "My legs +ain't as young as they was. 'Urry, my dear, missus is a bad +'un to be kept waitin'." + +Thus urged, Susan hastened to the front part of the house and +down the stairs. The door of the sitting-room was open. She +knocked and entered, to find Mr. Clancy, who looked rougher +and more foolish than ever, standing by the table. Miss +Loach, with a pack of cards on her lap, was talking, and Susan +heard the concluding sentence as she entered the room. + +"You're a fool, Clancy," said Miss Loach, emphatically. "You +know Mrs. Herne doesn't like to be contradicted. You've sent +her away in a fine rage, and she's taken Hale with her. Quite +spoilt our game of--ah, here's Susan. Off with you, Clancy. +I wish to be alone." + +The man would have spoken, but Miss Loach silenced him with a +sharp gesture and pointed to the door. In silence he went +upstairs with Susan, and in silence left the house. It was a +fine night, and Susan stopped for a moment at the door to +drink in the fresh air. She heard the heavy footsteps of a +policeman draw near and he passed the house, to disappear into +the path on the opposite side of the road. When Susan +returned to the kitchen she found supper ready. Soon the +servants were seated at the table and talking brightly. + +"Who does that house at the back belong to?" asked Susan. + +"To Lord Caranby," said Thomas, although not directly +addressed. "It's unfinished." + +"Yes and shut up. Lord Caranby was in love with a lady and +built that house for her. Before it was ready the lady died +and Lord Caranby left the house as it was and built a high +wall round it. He then went travelling and has been +travelling ever since. He never married either, and his +nephew, Mr. Cuthbert Mallow, is heir to the title." + +"I thought you said Lord Caranby loved Miss Loach?" + +"No, I didn't. I said she could have married him had she +played her cards properly. But she didn't, and Lord Caranby +went away. The lady who died was a friend of missus, and they +were always together. I think missus and she were jealous of +Lord Caranby, both loving him. But Miss Saul--that was the +other lady--died, and Lord Caranby left the house as it +stands, to go away." + +"He won't allow anyone to set a foot in the house or grounds," +said Mrs. Pill, "there ain't no gate in the wall--" + +"No gate," echoed Susan astonished. + +"Not a single 'ole as you could get a cat through. Round and +round the place that fifteen-feet wall is built, and the park, +as they calls it, is running as wild as a cow. Not a soul has +set foot in that place for the last fifteen years. But I +expect when Mr. Mallow comes in for the title he'll pull it +down and build 'ouses. I'm sure he ought to: it's a shame +seeing land wasted like that." + +"Where is Lord Caranby now?" + +"He lives in London and never comes near this place," said +Thomas. + +"Is Miss Loach friendly with him now?" +"No, she ain't. He treated her badly. She'd have been a +better Lady Caranby than Miss Saul"--here Thomas started and +raised a finger. "Eh! wasn't that the front door closing?" + +All listened, but no sound could be heard. "Perhaps missus +has gone to walk in the garding," said cook, "she do that at +times." + +"Did you show 'ern out?" asked Thomas, looking at Susan. + +"Only Mr. Clancy," she answered, "the others had gone before. +I heard what Miss Loach was saying. Mr. Clancy had quarrelled +with Mrs. Herne and she had gone away with Mr. Hale. Then +Miss Loach gave it to him hot and sent him away. She's all +alone." + +"I must have been mistaken about the door then," said he. + +"Not at all," chimed in Mrs. Pill. "Missus is walking as she +do do in the garding, singing and adornin' self with flowers." + +After this poetic flight of fancy on the part of the cook, the +supper ended. Thomas smoked a pipe and the housemaid cleared +away. Mrs. Pill occupied her time in putting her few +straggling locks in curl-papers. + +While Susan was assisting Geraldine, the bell rang. All +started. "I thought missus had gone to bed," cried the cook, +getting up hurriedly. "She'll be in a fine rage if she finds +us up. Go to bed, Geraldine, and you, Thomas. Susan, answer +the bell. She don't like us not to be gettin' our beauty +sleep. Bless me it's eleving." + +The clock had just struck as Susan left the kitchen, and the +three servants were bustling about so as to get to bed before +their sharp-eyed old mistress found them. Susan went down the +stairs. The door of the sitting-room was closed. She knocked +but no voice told her to enter. Wondering if the bell had +been rung by mistake, Susan knocked again, and again received +no answer. She had a mind to retreat rather than face the +anger of Miss Loach. But remembering that the bell had rung, +she opened the door, determined to explain. Miss Loach was +seated in her usual chair, but leaning back with a ghastly +face. The glare of the electric lamp fixed in the ceiling, +shone full on her white countenance, and also on something +else. The bosom of her purple gown was disarranged, and the +lace which adorned it was stained with blood. Startled by her +looks Susan hurried forward and gazed searchingly into the +face. There was no sign of recognition in the wide, staring +eyes. Susan, quivering with dread, touched Miss Loach's +shoulder. Her touch upset the body and it rolled on the +floor. The woman was dead. With a shriek Susan recoiled and +fell on her knees. Her cry speedily brought the other +servants. + +"Look!" cried Susan pointing, "she is dead--murdered!" + +Geraldine and Mrs. Pill shrieked with horror. Thomas +preserved his stolid look of composure. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A MYSTERIOUS DEATH + + +To be the husband of a celebrated woman is not an unmixed +blessing. Mr. Peter Octagon found it to be so, when he +married Mrs. Saxon, the widow of an eminent Q.C. She was a +fine Junoesque tragic woman, who modelled herself on the +portraits of the late Mrs. Siddons. Peter, on the contrary, +was a small, meek, light-haired, short-sighted man, who had +never done anything in his unromantic life, save accumulate a +fortune as a law-stationer. For many years he lived in single +blessedness, but when he retired with an assured income of +three thousand a year, he thought he would marry. He had no +relatives, having been brought up in a Foundling Hospital, and +consequently, found life rather lonely in his fine Kensington +house. He really did not care about living in such a mansion, +and had purchased the property as a speculation, intending to +sell it at a profit. But having fallen in with Mrs. Saxon, +then a hard-up widow, she not only induced him to marry her, +but, when married, she insisted that the house should be +retained, so that she could dispense hospitality to a literary +circle. + +Mrs. Octagon was very literary. She had published several +novels under the nom-de-plume of "Rowena." She had produced a +volume of poems; she had written a play which had been +produced at a matinee; and finally her pamphlets on political +questions stamped her, in the opinion of her immediate circle, +as a William Pitt in petticoats. She looked upon herself as +the George Eliot of the twentieth century, and dated events +from the time of her first success. "That happened before I +became famous," she would say. "No, it was after I took the +public by storm." And her immediate circle, who appreciated +her cakes and ale, would agree with everything she said. The +Kensington house was called "The Shrine of the Muses!" and +this title was stamped on her envelopes and writing-paper, to +the bewilderment of illiterate postmen. It sounded like the +name of a public-house to them. + +Peter was quite lost in the blaze of his wife's literary +glory. He was a plain, homely, small man, as meek as a +rabbit, fond of his garden and fireside, and nervous in +society. Had he not committed the fatal mistake of wedding +Mrs. Saxon, he would have taken a cottage in the country and +cultivated flowers. As it was, he dwelt in town and was +ordered to escort Mrs. Octagon when she chose to "blaze," +as she put it, in her friends' houses. Also there was a +reception every Friday when literary London gathered round +"Rowena," and lamented the decline of Art. These people had +never done anything to speak of, none of them were famous in +any wide sense, but they talked of art with a big "A," though +what they meant was not clear even to themselves. So far as +could be ascertained Art, with a big "A," was concerned with +something which did not sell, save to a select circle. Mrs. +Octagon's circle would have shuddered collectively and +individually at the idea of writing anything interesting, +likely to be enjoyed by the toilers of modern days. Whatever +pictures, songs, books or plays were written by anyone who did +not belong to "The Circle," these were considered "pretty, but +not Tart!" Anything successful was pronounced "Vulgar!" To be +artistic in Mrs. Octagon's sense, a work had to possess +obscurity, it had to be printed on the finest paper with +selected type, and it had to be sold at a prohibitive price. +In this way "Rowena" had produced her works, and her name was +not known beyond her small coterie. All the same, she +intimated that her renown was world-wide and that her fame +would be commensurate with the existence of the Anglo-Saxon +race. Mrs. Lee Hunter in the Pickwick Papers, also labored +under the same delusion. + +With Peter lived Mrs. Saxon's children by the eminent Q.C. +Basil, who was twenty-five, and Juliet age twenty-two. They +were both handsome and clever, but Juliet was the more +sensible of the two. She detested the sham enthusiasm of The +Circle, and appreciated Peter more than her mother did. Basil +had been spoilt by his mother, who considered him a genius, +and had produced a book of weak verse. Juliet was fond of her +brother, but she saw his faults and tried to correct them. +She wished to make him more of a man and less of an artistic +fraud, for the young man really did possess talents. But the +hothouse atmosphere of "The Shrine of the Muses!" would have +ruined anyone possessed of genius, unless he had a strong +enough nature to withstand the sickly adulation and false +judgments of those who came there. Basil was not strong. He +was pleasant, idle, rather vain, and a little inclined to be +dissipated. Mrs. Octagon did not know that Basil was fond of +dissipation. She thought him a model young Oxford man, and +hoped he would one day be Laureate of England. + +Afternoon tea was just ended, and several of Mrs. Octagon's +friends had departed. Basil and Mr. Octagon were out, but the +latter entered with a paper in his hand shortly after the last +visitor took her leave. Mrs. Octagon, in a ruby-colored +velvet, looking majestic and self-satisfied, was enthroned-- +the word is not too strong--in an arm-chair, and Juliet was +seated opposite to her turning over the leaves of a new novel +produced by one of The Circle. It was beautifully printed and +bound, and beautifully written in "precious" English, but its +perusal did not seem to afford her any satisfaction. Her +attention wandered, and every now and then she looked at the +door as though expecting someone to enter. Mrs. Octagon +disapproved of Juliet's pale cheeks and want of attention to +her own fascinating conversation, so, when alone, she took the +opportunity to correct her. + +"My child," said Mrs. Octagon, who always spoke in a tragic +manner, and in a kind of blank-verse way, "to me it seems your +cheeks are somewhat pale." + +"I had no sleep last night," said Juliet, throwing down the +book. + +"Your thoughts concerned themselves with Cuthbert's face, no +doubt, my love," said her mother fondly. + +"No, I was not thinking of him. I was worried about--about-- +my new dress," she finished, after vainly casting about for +some more sensible reason. + +"How foolish children are. You trouble about your dress when +you should have been thinking of the man who loves you." + +"Does Cuthbert love me?" asked Juliet, flushing. + +"As Romeo loved your namesake, sweetest child. And a very +good match it is too," added Mrs. Octagon, relapsing into +prose. "He is Lord Caranby's heir, and will have a title and +a fortune some day. But I would not force you to wed against +your will, my dear." + +"I love Cuthbert and Cuthbert loves me," said Juliet quickly, +"we quite understand one another. I wonder why he did not +come to-day." + +"Ah," said her mother playfully, "I saw that your thoughts +were otherwhere. Your eyes wandered constantly to the door. +He may come late. By the way, where is my dearest son?" + +"Basil? He went out this morning. I believe he intended to +call on Aunt Selina." + +Mrs. Octagon lost a trifle of her suave manner, and became +decidedly more human. "Then I wish he would not call there," +she said sharply. "Selina Loach is my own sister, but I do +not approve of her." + +"She is a poor, lonely dear, mother." + +"Poor, my child, she is not, as I have every reason to believe +she is well endowed with this world's goods. Lonely she may +be, but that is her own fault. Had she behaved as she should +have done, Lady Caranby would have been her proud title. As +to dear," Mrs. Octagon shrugged her fine shoulders, "she is +not a woman to win or retain love. Look at the company she +keeps. Mr. Hale, her lawyer, is not a nice man. I have +espied something evil in his eye. That Clancy creature is +said to be rich. He needs to be, if only to compensate for +his rough way. They visit her constantly." + +"You have forgotten Mrs. Herne," said Juliet, rising, and +beginning to pace the room restlessly and watch out of the +window. + +"I have never met Mrs. Herne. And, indeed, you know, that for +private reasons I have never visited Selina at that ridiculous +house of hers. When were you there last, Juliet, my child?" + +The girl started and appeared embarrassed. "Oh, a week ago," +she said hurriedly, then added restlessly, "I wonder why Basil +does not come back. He has been away all day." + +"Do you know why he has called on your aunt, my dear?" + +"No," said Juliet, in a hesitating manner, and turned again to +look out of the window. Then she added, as though to escape +further questioning, "I have seen Mrs. Herne only once, but +she seemed to me a very nice, clever old woman." + +"Clever," said Mrs. Octagon, raising her eyebrows, which were +as strongly marked as those of her sister, "no. She does not +belong to The Circle." + +"A person can be clever without that," said Juliet +impatiently. + +"No. All the clever people in London come here, Juliet. If +Mrs. Herne had been brilliant, she would have found her way to +our Shrine." + +Juliet shrugged her shoulders and curled her pretty lip. She +did not appreciate her privileges in that house. In fact, a +word distinctly resembling "Bother!" escaped from her mouth. +However, she went on talking of Mrs. Herne, as though to keep +her mother from questioning her further. + +"There is a mystery about Mrs. Herne," she said, coming to the +fire; "for I asked Aunt Selina who she was, and she could not +tell me." + +"That is so like Selina," rejoined Mrs. Octagon tartly, +"receiving a person of whom she knows nothing." + +"Oh, she does know a little. Mrs. Herne is the widow of a +Spanish merchant, and she struck me as being foreign herself. +Aunt Selina has known her for three years, and she has come +almost every week to play whist at Rose Cottage. I believe +she lives at Hampstead!" + +"It seems to me, Juliet, that your aunt told you a great deal +about this person. Why did you ask?" + +Juliet stared into the fire. "There is something so strange +about Mrs. Herne," she murmured. "In spite of her gray hair +she looks quite young. She does not walk as an old woman. She +confessed to being over fifty. To be sure, I saw her only +once." + +Mrs. Octagon grew rather cross. "I am over fifty, and I'm +sure I don't look old, you undutiful child. When the soul is +young, what matters the house of clay. But, as I was saying," +she added hastily, not choosing to talk of her age, which was +a tender point with her, "Selina Loach likes low company. I +know nothing of Mrs. Herne, but what you say of her does not +sound refined." + +"Oh, she is quite a lady." + +"And as to Mr. Clancy and Mr. Jarvey Hale," added Mrs. +Octagon, taking no notice, "I mistrust them. That Hale man +looked as though he would do a deed of darkness on the +slightest provocation." + +So tragic was her mother's manner, that Juliet turned even +paler than she was. "Whatever do you mean?" she asked +quickly. + +"I mean murder, if I must use so vulgar and melodramatic a +word." + +"But I don't understand--" + +"Bless me," cried Mrs. Octagon, becoming more prosaic than +ever, "there is nothing to understand. But Selina lives in +quite a lonely house, and has a lot of money. I never open +the papers but what I expect to read of her death by +violence." + +"Oh," murmured Juliet, again crossing to the window, "you +should not talk like that, mother!" + +Mrs. Octagon laughed good-naturedly. "Nonsense, child. I am +only telling you my thoughts. Selina is such a strange woman +and keeps such strange company that she won't end in the usual +way. You may be sure of that. But, after all, if she does +die, you will come in for her money and then, can marry +Cuthbert Mallow." + +Juliet shuddered. "I hope Aunt Selina will live for many a +long day, if that is what you think," she said sharply. "I +want none of her money. Cuthbert has money of his own, and +his uncle is rich also." + +"I really hope Cuthbert has enough to justify him gambling." + +"He does not gamble," said Juliet quickly. + +"Yes he does," insisted Mrs. Octagon. "I have heard rumors; +it is but right you should hear about--" + +"I want to hear nothing. I thought you liked Cuthbert." + +"I do, and he is a good match. But I should like to see you +accept the Poet Arkwright, who will yet be the Shakespeare of +England." + +"England has quite enough glory with the Shakespeare she has," +rejoined Juliet tartly, "and as to Mr. Arkwright, I wouldn't +marry him if he had a million. A silly, ugly, weak--" + +"Stop!" cried Mrs. Octagon, rising majestically from her +throne. "Do not malign genius, lest the gods strike you dumb. +Child--" + +What Mrs. Octagon was about to say further must remain ever a +mystery, for it was at this moment that her husband hurried +into the room with an evening paper in his hand. "My dear," +he said, his scanty hair almost standing on end with horror, +"such dreadful news. Your aunt, Juliet, my dear--" + +"Selina," said Mrs. Octagon quietly, "go on. There is nothing +bad I don't expect to hear about Selina. What is it?" + +"She is dead!" + +"Dead!" cried Juliet, clasping her hands nervously. "No!" + +"Not only dead, but murdered!" cried Mr. Octagon. His wife +suddenly dropped into her throne and, being a large fleshly +woman, her fall shook the room. Then she burst into tears. +"I never liked Selina," she sniffed, "even though she was my +own sister, but I am sorry--I am dreadfully--oh, dear me! +Poor Selina!" + +By this time all the dramatic posing of Mrs. Octagon had gone +by the wall, and she showed herself in her true colors as a +kind-hearted woman. Juliet hurried to her mother and took one +of her hands. The elder woman started, even in the midst of +her tears. "My child, your hand is as cold as ice," she said +anxiously. "Are you ill." + +"No," said the girl hurriedly and evidently trying to suppress +her emotion, "but this dreadful news! Do you remember what +you said?" + +"Yes--but I never expected I would be a true prophetess," +sobbed Mrs. Octagon. "Peter," with sudden tartness, "why +don't you give me the details. Poor Selina dead, and here am +I in ruby velvet!" + +"There are not many details to give," said Peter, reading from +the newspaper, "the police are keeping quiet about the +matter." + +"Who killed her?" + +Juliet rose suddenly and turned on the electric light, so that +her step-father could see to read more clearly. "Yes," she +said in a firm voice, belied by the ghastly whiteness of her +face, "who killed her?" + +"It is not known," said Mr. Octagon. "Last night she +entertained a few friends--to be precise, three, and she was +found by her new parlor-maid dead in her chair, stabbed to +the heart. The weapon has not been found, nor has any trace +of the murderer been discovered." + +"Entertained friends," muttered Mrs. Octagon weeping, "the +usual lot. Mr. Hale, Mrs. Herne and Mr. Clancy--" + +"Yes," said Peter, somewhat surprised, "how do you know?" + +"My soul," whispered me," said Mrs. Octagon tragically, and +becoming melodramatic again, now that the first shock was +over. "One of those three killed her. Who struck the fatal +blow?--the villain Hale I doubt not." + +"No," cried Juliet, "it was not Mr. Hale. He would not harm a +fly." + +"Probably not," said her mother tartly, "a fly has no property-- +your Aunt Selina had. Oh, my dear," she added, darting +away at a tangent, "to think that last night you and Basil +should have been witnesses of a melodrama at the Marlow +Theatre, at the very time this real tragedy was taking place +in the rural country." + +"It's a most dreadful affair," murmured Peter, laying aside +the paper. "Had I not better go down to Rose Cottage and +offer my services?" + +"No," said Mrs. Octagon sharply, "don't mix yourself up in +this dreadful affair. Few people know that Selina was my +sister, and I don't want everyone to be condoling with me on +this tragedy." + +"But we must do something," said Juliet quickly. + +"We will wait, my dear. But I don't want more publicity than +is necessary." + +"But I have told some of our friends that Aunt Selina is a +relative." + +"Then you should not have done so," replied her mother, +annoyed. "However, people soon forget names, and the thing +may not be noticed." + +"My dear," said Octagon, seriously, "you should not be +ashamed of your sister. She may not have your renown nor rank, +still--" + +"I know my own knowing," interrupted the lady rather +violently, and crushing her meek husband with a look. "Selina +and I are strangers, and have been for years. What are the +circumstances of the case? I have not seen Selina for over +fifteen years. I hear nothing about her. She suddenly writes +to me, asking if my dear children may call and see her--that +was a year ago. You insisted that they should go, Peter, +because relatives should be friendly. I consented, as I heard +from Mr. Hale that Selina was rich, and fancied she might +leave her money to my children. Juliet has called several +times--" + +"More than that," interrupted Juliet in her turn, "both Basil +and I have called nearly every month. We sometimes went and +did not tell you, mother, as you seemed so annoyed that we +should visit her." + +"I consented only that you might retain her goodwill and get +what money she might leave," said Mrs. Octagon obstinately. +"There is nothing in common between Selina and me." + +"There was nothing in common," put in Octagon softly. + +"I know she is dead. You need not remind me of that +unpleasant fact, sir. And her death is worthy of her strange, +and I fear not altogether reputable life." + +"Oh, mother, how can you? Aunt Selina was the most particular--" + +"There--there," said her mother who was much agitated, "I +know more than you do. And between ourselves, I believe I +know who killed her. Yes! You may look. And this death, +Juliet, ends your engagement with Cuthbert." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +DETAILS + + +What Mrs. Octagon meant by her last enigmatic remark it is +impossible to say. After delivering it in her usual dramatic +manner, she swept from the room, leaving Juliet and her +step-father staring at one another. Peter was the first to +break the silence. + +"Your mother appears to be very positive," said he. + +"About my giving up Cuthbert?" asked Juliet sharply. + +"About the crime. She hinted that she guessed who killed the +poor lady. I never knew Miss Loach myself," added Mr. +Octagon, seating himself and ruffling his scanty locks, a +habit with him when perplexed, "but you said you liked her." + +"Yes, Aunt Selina was always very nice to me. She had strange +ways, and, to tell you the truth, father," Juliet always +addressed Peter thus, to his great delight, "she was not so +refined as mother--" + +"Few people are so refined as my wife, my dear." + +"As to mother knowing who killed her," pursued Juliet, taking +no notice of this interpolation, "it's nonsense. She said she +believed Mr. Hale or Mr. Clancy--" + +"Surely not," interposed Mr. Octagon anxiously, "both these +gentlemen have participated in the delights of our literary +Circle, and I should be loath to credit them with violence." + +"I don't believe either has anything to do with the matter. +Mother doesn't like them because they were such good friends +to Aunt Selina. Can you guess why mother quarrelled with +aunt, father?" + +"No, my dear. Your mother has some grudge against her. What +it is I do not know. She never told me. But for over fifteen +years your mother spoke little of your aunt and never called +to see her. I was quite astonished when she consented that +you and Basil should call. Did your aunt ever speak of your +mother?" + +"Very little, and then she was cautious--what she said. But +this is not the question," continued the girl, leaning her +chin on her hand and staring into the fire; "why does mother +say I must break my engagement with Cuthbert on account of +this death?" + +"Perhaps she will explain." + +"No; she left the room to avoid an explanation. Cuthbert +certainly saw Aunt Selina once or twice, but he did not care +for her. But he can have nothing to do with the matter. Then +again, mother, up till now, was always pleased that I should +marry Cuthbert." + +"Yes," said Octagon, twiddling his thumbs; "she has known Mr. +Mallow ever since he was a child. Both your aunt and your +mother were great friends of Lord Caranby's in their youth, +over twenty years ago. I believe at one time Selina was +engaged to him, but he was in love with a young lady called +Miss Saul, who died unexpectedly." + +"I know," said Juliet; "and then Lord Caranby abandoned the +house he was building at Rexton, and it has been shut up all +these years. Aunt Selina told me the story. When I asked +mother for details, she refused to speak." + +"Your mother is very firm when she likes." + +"Very obstinate, you mean," said Juliet, undutifully. +"However, I am not going to give up Cuthbert. I love him and +he loves me. I intend to marry him whatever mother may say." + +"But if your mother refuses her consent?" + +"I am over age." + +As she spoke her brother entered the room hurriedly. Basil +Saxon was as fair and weak-looking as his sister was dark and +strong in appearance. He was smartly dressed, and in a rather +affected way. His hair was long, he wore a moustache and a +short imperial, and talked in a languid way in a somewhat +obscure manner. These were the traits Juliet disliked in +Basil. She would rather have seen him a spruce well-groomed +man about town like Cuthbert. But at the present moment +Basil's face was flushed, and he spoke hurriedly, evidently +laboring under great stress of emotion. + +"Have you heard the news?" he said, dropping into a chair and +casting a side look at the evening paper which Peter still +held. + +"If you mean about the death--" + +"Yes; Aunt Selina has been murdered. I called to see her this +morning, and found the house in the possession of the police. +All day I have been down there with Mallow." + +"With Cuthbert," said Juliet, starting and growing red. "What +was he doing there?" + +"He came down to Rexton to see about the unfinished house. +Lord Caranby has returned to England, and he has thoughts of +pulling it down. Mallow came to have a look at the place." + +"But he can't get in. There is a wall round the grounds." + +"He climbed over the wall," said Basil, quickly, "and after +looking through the house he came out. Then he saw me, and I +told him what had happened. He appeared dreadfully shocked." + +Juliet shivered in spite of the heat of the day and the fire, +near which she was seated. "It is strange he should have been +there." + +Her brother threw a keen glance at her. "I don't see that!" +he exclaimed. "He gave his reason for being in the +neighborhood. He came up with me, and is coming on here in a +few moments. This is why he did not turn up this afternoon." + +Juliet nodded and appeared satisfied with this explanation. +But she kept her eyes on her brother when he entered into +details about the crime. Her emotions during the recital +betrayed themselves markedly. + +"I saw the detective," said Basil, with quicker speech than +usual. "He is a first-rate chap called Jennings, and when he +heard I was Miss Loach's nephew he didn't mind speaking +freely." + +"What did you learn?" asked Mr. Octagon. + +"Enough to make the mystery surrounding the death deeper than +ever." + +"What do you mean?" asked his sister, restlessly. "Can't the +murderer be found?" + +"Not a trace of him can be discovered." + +"Why do you say 'him.' It might have been a woman." + +"No," rejoined Basil positively, "no woman could have struck +so hard a blow. Aunt Selina was stabbed to the heart. She +must have been killed as she was rising from her chair, and +death, so the doctor says, must have been instantaneous." + +"Has the weapon been found?" asked Juliet in a low voice. + +Basil turned quickly in his chair, and looked at her sharply. +"No!" he said, "not a sign of any weapon can be found, nor can +it be discovered how anyone got into the house. Though to be +sure, she might have admitted her visitor." + +"Explain! explain," cried Mr. Octagon, ruffling his hair. + +"Well, to tell the story in detail," said his step-son, "the +way it happened is this. Aunt Selina had Mr. Hale and Mr. +Clancy and Mrs. Herne to their usual game of whist. Clancy, +as it appears from the report of what the new parlor-maid +overheard, quarrelled with Hale and Mrs. Herne. They left +before ten o'clock. At all events, when she entered the room +in answer to my aunt's summons, she found only Mr. Clancy, and +aunt was scolding him for having provoked Mrs. Herne by +contradicting her. Apparently Mrs. Herne had gone away under +the wing of Hale. Then aunt sent Clancy away at ten o'clock. +The parlor-maid returned to the kitchen and there had supper. +She heard the bell ring at eleven, and found aunt dead in the +sitting-room, stabbed to the heart." + +"Heard the bell ring?" echoed Juliet. "But how could aunt +ring if she had been killed?" + +"She might have rung as she was dying," said Basil, after a +pause. "It seems she was seated near the button of the bell +and could have touched it without rising. She might have rung +with a last effort, and then have died before the parlor-maid +could get to the room." + +"Or else," said Mr. Octagon, anxious to prove his perspicuity, +"the assassin may have stabbed her and then have touched the +bell." + +"What!" cried his step-son derisively, "to summon a witness. +I don't think the assassin would be such a fool. However, +that's all that can be discovered. Aunt Selina is dead, and +no one knows who killed her." + +"Was the house locked up?" +"The front door was closed, and the windows were bolted and +barred. Besides, a policeman was walking down Crooked Lane a +few minutes before eleven, and would have seen anyone leaving +the house. He reported that all was quiet." + +"Then the assassin might have rung the bell at eleven," said +Peter. + +"Certainly not, for he could never have escaped immediately +afterwards, without the policeman seeing him." + +"He might have got out by the back," suggested Juliet. + +"My dear girl, what are you thinking of. That wall round Lord +Caranby's mansion blocks any exit at the back. Anyone leaving +the house must go up the lane or through that part at the +bottom. The policeman was near there shortly before eleven +and saw no one leaving the house." + +"But, look here," said Mr. Octagon, who had been ruminating; +"if, as the doctor says, death was instantaneous, how could +your aunt have rung the bell?" + +"Yes," added Juliet. "And even had death not taken place at +once, it could not have been more than a few minutes before +eleven when the blow was struck. Aunt might have had strength +to crawl to the bell and touch it, but the assassin could not +have escaped from the house, seeing--as you say--the +policeman was on guard." + +"Aunt died instantaneously," insisted Basil. + +"Then she could not have sounded the bell," said Juliet +triumphantly. + +"The assassin did that," said Peter. + +"And thus called a witness," cried Basil. "Ridiculous!" + +"Then how do you explain the matter?" + +"I can't explain. Neither can the detective Jennings. It's a +mystery." + +"Could any of the servants--" began Peter. + +"No," interrupted Saxon. "The four servants were having +supper in the kitchen. They are innocent. Well, we'll see +what the inquest reveals. Something may be found before then +likely to elucidate the mystery. But here comes Mallow. He +questioned Jennings also, so you can question him if you like. +Does mother know?" + +"Yes. And she doesn't want the fact of her relationship to +your aunt talked about." + +Basil understood at once. "No wonder," he said, shrugging his +shoulders. "It is not a pleasant affair for a woman of +mother's celebrity to be mixed up with." + +Meantime, Juliet having heard the ring at the front door, +escaped from the room to see her lover. She met him divesting +himself of his overcoat in the hall, and ran to him with +outstretched hands. "But why have you got on an overcoat this +warm day?" she asked. + +"I have a cold. I caught one last night," said Cuthbert, +kissing her. + +"Where were you last night?" asked Juliet, drawing him into a +side room. "I thought you were coming to the Marlow Theatre +with Basil and me." + +"Yes. But my uncle arrived unexpectedly in England and sent +for me to his hotel in Guelph street--the Avon Hotel, you +know. He will insist on a fire even in June, and the room was +so hot that I caught cold when I came out. I had to go down +to Rexton to-day on his business, and put on a coat so as to +avoid catching further cold. But why this room, Juliet?" + +"Father and Basil are in the drawing-room. They are talking +of the murder, and I don't want to hear any more about it." + +"There are pleasanter things to talk about," said Mallow. "I +knew Basil would come crammed with news. Has he told you--" + +"He told us everything he could gather from the detective. It +seems that the crime is quite a mystery." + +"Quite. Why your aunt should be killed, or how the assassin +escaped, after killing her, cannot be discovered. Jennings is +in high glee about it. He loves a puzzle of this sort." + +"Do you know him?" asked Juliet anxiously. + +"Oh, yes. Jennings is a gentleman. He was at Eton with me. +But he ran through his money and took up the detective +business. He is very clever, and if anyone will learn the +truth, he will. Now, my theory--" + +Juliet put her hand over his mouth. "Don't," she said. "I +have had enough horrors for this afternoon. Let us talk of +ourselves." + +"I would rather do this," said Mallow, and kissed her. + +Mallow was a handsome fellow, tall and slim, with a rather +military carriage. His face was clean-shaven save for a small +straw-colored moustache, which showed up almost white against +the bronze of his face. He was more of an athlete than a +student, and this was one reason why Juliet was fond of him. +She had seen so much of literary circles that she always vowed +she would marry a man who never opened a book. Cuthbert +nearly fulfilled this requirement, as he read little, save +novels and newspapers. He was well known in sporting circles, +and having a good private income, owned race-horses. He was +always irreproachably dressed, good-humored and cheerful. +Consequently he was popular, and if not overburdened with +brains, managed to make himself agreeable to the world, and to +have what the Americans call "a good time." He had travelled +much and was fond of big-game shooting. To complete his +characterization, it is necessary to mention that he had +served in the Boer War, and had gained a D.S.O. But that was +in the days before he met Juliet or he might not have risked a +life so precious to her. + +Juliet was dark and rather little, not at all like her +Junoesque mother. She was extremely pretty and dressed to +perfection. Having more brains and a stronger will than +Mallow, she guided him in every way, and had already succeeded +in improving his morals. With so gentle and charming a +mentor, Cuthbert was quite willing to be led into the paths of +virtue. He adored Juliet and she loved him, so it appeared +that the marriage would be quite ideal. + +"Much as we love one another," said Cuthbert when the lovers +were seated on the sofa. "I wonder you can talk of anything +but this horrid murder." + +"Because there is nothing to talk of," rejoined the girl +impatiently; "according to Basil, the case is most mysterious, +so it is useless for us to worry over it until something +tangible is discovered. But I want to speak to you seriously--" +here Juliet hesitated. + +"Well, go on," said Cuthbert, taking her hand. + +"Mother says--" began Juliet, then hesitated again. "Promise +me you will keep to yourself what I am about to tell you." + +"Certainly. I never was a fellow to chatter." + +"Then mother says that this murder will put a stop to our +marriage." + +Mallow stared, then flushed up to his ears. "What on earth +does she mean by that?" he asked aghast. + +Juliet looked searchingly at him. "Do you know of any +impediment?" + +"I? Of course I don't. I am sorry for the death of your +aunt, but I really don't see what it has to do with you and +me." + +Juliet drew a breath of relief. "Mother hints that she knows +who committed the crime, and--" + +"What! She knows. How does she know?" + +"I can't say. She refuses to speak. She was not on good +terms with Aunt Selina and they never saw one another for over +fifteen years. But mother is much disturbed about the murder--" + +"That is natural. A sister is a sister however much one may +have quarrelled. But why should this death stop our +marriage?" + +"I know no more than you do. Here is mother. Ask her +yourself." + +It was indeed Mrs. Octagon who entered the room. She looked +very pale, but otherwise was perfectly composed. In silence +she gave her hand to Cuthbert, and kept her black eyes fixed +steadily on his face. The young man flushed and turned away, +whereat Mrs. Octagon sighed. Juliet broke an embarrassed +silence. + +"Mother," she said, "I have told Cuthbert what you said." + +"Then you had no right to," said Mrs. Octagon sternly. + +"Oh, I think she had," said Mallow, rather annoyed. "Seeing +you hint that this crime will stop our marriage." + +Mrs. Octagon did not answer. "Is your uncle in town?" she +asked. + +"Yes. He arrived from the continent a day or two ago." + +"I thought so," she said, half to herself, and strove to +repress her agitation. "Mr. Mallow, my daughter can't marry +you." + +"Why not? Give your reason." + +"I have no reason to give." + +"But you must. Is it on account of this murder?" + +"It is. I told Juliet so. But I cannot explain." + +The lovers looked at one another in a dazed fashion. The +woman's objection seemed to be senseless. "Surely you don't +think Cuthbert killed Aunt Selina?" said Juliet, laughing in a +forced manner. + +"No. I don't suspect him." + +"Then whom do you suspect?" demanded Mallow. + +"That I decline to say." + +"Will you decline to say it to the police?" + +Mrs. Octagon stepped back a pace. "Yes, I should," she +faltered. + +Cuthbert Mallow looked at her, wondering why she was so +agitated, and Juliet stole her hand into his. Then he +addressed her seriously. + +"Mrs. Octagon," he said, "your remark about my uncle leads me +to think you suspect him." + +"No I don't. But you can't marry Juliet on account of this +crime." + +"Then you hear me," said Mallow, driven into a corner, "from +this moment I devote myself to finding out who killed your +unfortunate sister. When the assassin is discovered you may +consent to our marriage." + +But he spoke to empty air. Mrs. Octagon had left the room, +almost before the first words left his mouth. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +LORD CARANBY'S ROMANCE + + +Cuthbert was considerably perplexed by the attitude of +Juliet's mother. She had always been more than kind to him. +On the announcement that he wished to marry her daughter, she +had expressed herself well pleased, and during the engagement, +which had lasted some six months, she had received him as +Juliet's intended husband, with almost ostentatious delight. +Now, for some inexplicable reason, she suddenly changed her +mind and declined to explain. But rack his brains as he +might, Cuthbert could not see how the death of a sister she +had quarrelled with, and to whom she had been a stranger for +so long, could affect the engagement. + +However, there was no doubt in his mind that the refusal of +Mrs. Octagon to approve of the marriage lay in the fact that +her sister had met with a violent end. Therefore Mallow was +determined to see Jennings, and help him to the best of his +ability to discover the assassin. When the criminal was +brought to justice, either Mrs. Octagon's opposition would be +at an end, or the true reason for its existence would be +revealed. Meantime, he was sure that she would keep Juliet +out of his way, and that in future he would be refused +admittance to the "Shrine of the Muses." This was annoying, +but so long as Juliet remained true, Cuthbert thought he could +bear the exclusion. His betrothed--as he still regarded the +girl--could meet him in the Park, at the houses of mutual +friends, and in a thousand and one places which a clever woman +like her could think of. And although Cuthbert knew that Mrs. +Octagon had frequently regretted the refusal of her daughter +to marry Arkwright, and would probably try and induce her to +do so now that matters stood thus, yet he was not afraid in +his own heart. Juliet was as staunch as steel, and he was +certain that Mr. Octagon would be on his side. Basil probably +would agree with his mother, whose lead he slavishly followed. +But Mallow had rather a contempt for Basil, and did not count +his opposition as dangerous. + +On leaving the "Shrine of the Muses," the young man's first +intention was to seek out Jennings and see what progress he +was making in the matter. But on reflection he thought he +would call again on his uncle and question him regarding his +knowledge of Mrs. Octagon. It seemed to Cuthbert that, from +the woman's question as to whether Lord Caranby had returned +from abroad, and her remark on hearing that he had, some +suspicion was in her mind as to his being concerned in the +crime. Yet, beyond the fact that the unfinished house stood +behind the cottage where the crime had been committed and +belonged to Lord Caranby who had known the dead woman in the +past, Cuthbert could not see how Mrs. Octagon could constitute +a latter-day connection between her dead sister and her old +friend. But Lord Caranby might be induced to talk--no easy +matter--and from what he said, the mystery of Mr. Octagon's +attitude might be elucidated. Only in the past--so far as the +perplexed young man could conjecture--could be found the +reason for her sudden change of front. + +Cuthbert therefore sent a wire to his uncle, stating that he +wished to see him after eight o'clock on special business, and +then went home to dress. + +While thus employed, he thought over means and ways to make +Caranby open his mouth. The old lord was a silent, grave man, +who never uttered an unnecessary word, and it was difficult to +induce him to be confidential. But invariably he had approved +of his nephew's engagement, although he had never seen Juliet, +so it might be that he would speak out--if there was +anything to say--in order to remove any impediment to the +match. It depended upon what information he received as to +how Mallow would act. + +At half-past eight he drove to the Avon Hotel and was shown up +at once to his uncle's sitting-room. That he should live in +an hotel was another of Caranby's eccentricities. He had a +house in town and three in the country, yet for years he had +lived--as the saying is--on his portmanteau. Even the +villa at Nice he owned was unoccupied by this strange +nobleman, and was usually let to rich Americans. When in +England he stopped at the Avon Hotel and when in the country +remained at any inn of the neighborhood in which he might +chance to find himself wandering. And wandering is an +excellent word to apply to Lord Caranby's peregrinations. He +was as restless as a gipsy and far more aimless. He never +appeared to take an interest in anything: he was always moving +here, there and everywhere, and had--so far as Cuthbert knew-- +no object in life. His reason for this Cainlike behavior, +Caranby never condescended to explain. + +When his nephew entered the room, looking smart and handsome +in his accurate evening suit, Caranby, who was seated near the +fire, stood up courteously to welcome him, leaning on his +cane. He suffered from sciatica, and could not walk save with +the assistance of his stick. And on this account also, he +always insisted on the room being heated to an extraordinary +degree. Like a salamander he basked in the heat, and would +not allow either door or window to be opened, even in the +midst of summer, when a large fire made the apartment almost +unendurable. Cuthbert felt as though he were walking into a +Turkish bath, and sat as far away from the fire as he could. +After saluting him, his uncle sank back into his seat and +looked at him inquiringly. + +Lord Caranby was tall and thin--almost emaciated--with a +lean, sallow, clean-shaven face, and a scanty crop of fair +hair mixed with gray. His eyes were sunken but full of +vitality, although usually they were grave and somewhat sad. +His hands were deformed with gout, but for all that he wore +several costly rings. He was perfectly dressed, and as quiet +and composed as an artist's model. When he spoke it was in an +unemotional way, as though he had exhausted all expression of +his feelings early in life. Perhaps he had, for from what +Cuthbert had heard from his uncle, the past of that nobleman +was not without excitement. But Caranby's name was rarely +mentioned in London. He remained so much abroad that he had +quite dropped out of the circle to the entry of which his rank +entitled him. His age was sixty-five. + +"You are surprised at seeing me again to-night," said +Cuthbert. + +"I am never surprised at anything," replied his uncle dryly, +"but we exhausted all we had to say to one another before +eight o'clock last night, at which time you left. I therefore +don't know why you have come this evening. Our conversation +is bound to be dull, and--excuse me--I can't afford to be +bored at my age." + +"I cannot say that our conversation was particularly agreeable +last night," rejoined Mallow, equally dryly, "we talked +business and money matters, and about your will." + +"And about your engagement also," said Caranby without a +vestige of a smile. "That should interest a young man of your +ardent temperament. I certainly thought the subject amused +you." + +"Would you be surprised to learn that my engagement has been +broken off since our conversation," said Cuthbert, crossing +his legs. + +"No! Who can account for the whims of a woman. After all, +perhaps you are to be congratulated on not marrying a +weathercock." + +"Juliet has nothing to do with the breaking of our engagement. +Her mother objects." + +"I understood for the last six months that her mother not only +approved, but was delighted." + +"That is the strange part, sir. On hearing of the death of +her sister, Mrs. Octagon suddenly changed her mind, and told +me that the marriage could not take place." + +"Did she give any reason?" + +"She declined to do so." + +"The same woman," muttered Caranby, "always mysterious and +unsatisfactory. You say her sister is dead?" + +Cuthbert cast a look at the Globe, which lay on a small table +near Caranby's elbow. "If you have read the papers, sir--" +"Yes! I have read that Miss Loach has been murdered. You +went down to Rexton to-day. I presume you heard something +more than the details set forth by the press." + +Cuthbert nodded. "It appears to be a mystery." + +Caranby did not reply, but looked into the fire. "Poor +Selina!" he said half to himself. "A sad end for such a +charming woman." + +"I should hardly apply that word to Miss Loach, sir. She did +not appear to be a lady, and was by no means refined." + +"She must have changed then. In her young days she and her +sister were the handsomest women in London." + +"I believe you were engaged to one of them," said Mallow +politely. + +"Yes," replied his uncle grimly. "But I escaped." + +"Escaped?" + +"A strange word is it not, but a suitable one." + +Cuthbert did not know what to make of this speech. "Have I +your permission to smoke?" he asked, taking out his case. + +"Yes! Will you have some coffee?" + +"Thank you. I had some before I came here. Will you--" he +extended the case of cigarettes, which Caranby declined. + +"Ring for Fletcher to get me my chibouque." + +"It is in the corner. We will dispense with Fletcher with +your permission." And Cuthbert brought the chibouque to his +uncle's side. In another minute the old man was smoking as +gravely as any Turk. This method of consuming tobacco was +another eccentricity. For a few moments neither spoke. Then +Caranby broke the silence. + +"So you want me to help you to find out Mrs. Octagon's +reason?" + +"I do," said Mallow, rather surprised by Caranby's +perspicuity. + +"What makes you think I can explain?" + +Cuthbert looked at his cigarette. "I asked you on the chance +that you may be able to do so," he said gravely. "The fact +is, to be frank, Mrs. Octagon appears to think you might have +something to do with the crime." + +Caranby did not seem surprised, but smoked imperturbably. "I +don't quite understand." + +The young man related how Mrs. Octagon had inquired if the +Earl was back from the Continent, and her subsequent remark. +"Of course I may be unduly suspicious," said he. "But it +suggested--" + +"Quite so," interrupted the old gentleman gravely. "You are +quick at putting two and two together. Isabella Octagon hates +me so much that she would gladly see me on the scaffold. I am +not astonished that she suspects me." + +"But what motive can she impute--" + +Caranby laid aside the long coil he was holding and laughed +quietly to himself. "Oh, she'll find a motive if it suits +her. But what I cannot understand is, why she should accuse +me now. She has had ample opportunity during the past twenty +years, since the death of Miss Saul, for instance." + +"She did not exactly accuse you." + +"No, a woman like that would not. And then of course, her +sister dying only last night affords her the opportunity of +getting me into trouble. But I am afraid Mrs. Octagon will be +disappointed of her revenge, long though she has waited." + +"Revenge! remember, sir, she is the mother of Juliet." + +"I sincerely hope Juliet does not take after her, then," said +Lord Caranby, tartly. "To be perfectly plain with you, +Cuthbert, I could never understand why Mrs. Octagon sanctioned +your engagement with her daughter, considering you are my +nephew." + +"I don't understand," said Mallow, staring and uneasily. + +Caranby did not answer immediately. He rose and walked +painfully up and down the room leaning heavily on his cane. +Mallow offered his arm but was impatiently waved aside. When +the old man sat down again he turned a serious face to his +nephew. "Do you love this girl?" + +"With all my heart and soul." + +"And she loves you?" + +"Of course. We were made for one another." + +"But Mrs. Octagon--" + +"I don't like Mrs. Octagon--I never did," said Mallow, +impetuously, "but I don't care two straws for her opposition. +I shall marry Juliet in spite of this revenge she seems to be +practising on you. Though why she should hope to vex you by +meddling with my marriage, I cannot understand." + +"I can put the matter in a nutshell," said Caranby, and quoted +Congreve-- + + "'Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned + Nor Hell a fury like a woman scorned.'" + +"Oh," said Mallow, dropping his cigarette, and a whole story +was revealed to him in the quotation. + +"A gentleman doesn't talk of these things," said Caranby +abruptly, "and for years I have held my tongue. Still, as +Mrs. Octagon does not hesitate to strike at me through you, +and as your happiness is at stake, and the happiness of the +girl you love, I shall tell you--so far as I can guess-- +why the woman behaves in this way." + +"If you please, sir," and Cuthbert settled himself to listen. + +"About twenty years ago," said Caranby, plunging headfirst +into his subject, "Isabella and Selina Loach were well-known +in society. They were the daughters of a country squire-- +Kent, I remember--and created a sensation with their beauty +when they came to town. I fell in love with Selina, and +Isabella--if you will pardon my vanity--fell in love with +me. She hated her sister on my account. I would have married +Selina, but her father, who was hard up, wished her to marry a +wealthy American. Isabella, to part Selina from me, helped +her father. What arguments they used I do not know, but +Selina suddenly changed in her manner towards me. Out of +pique--you may think this weak of me, Cuthbert, but I was a +fool in those days--I became engaged to a girl who was a +singer. Her name was Emilia Saul, and I believe she was of +Jewish extraction. I liked her in a way, and she had a +wonderful power over me. I proposed and was accepted." + +"But if you had really loved Miss Loach--" + +"I should have worn the willow. I told you I was foolish, +and, moreover, Miss Saul fascinated me. Selina was cold, +Emilia was charming, and I was weak. Therefore, I became +engaged to Emilia, and Selina--as I heard, arranged to marry +her wealthy American. I believe she was angry at my +apparently forgetting her so soon. But she was in fault, not +I." + +Cuthbert looked at his smart shoes. "Had I loved Selina," +said he slowly, "I should have remained true to her, and have +married her in spite of the objection of her father--" + +"And of her sister Isabella--Mrs. Octagon that is; don't +forget that, Cuthbert. And I could scarcely run away with a +girl who believed stories about me." + +"What sort of stories?" asked Mallow, remembering certain +rumors. + +"The sort that one always does tell of an unmarried man," +retorted Caranby. "Scandalous stories, which Isabella picked +up and retailed to Selina. But I never pretended to be a +saint, and had Selina really loved me she would have +overlooked certain faults. I did love her, Cuthbert. I did +all in my power to prove my love. For a time I was engaged to +her, and when she expressed a wish that I should build her a +house after her own design, I consented." + +"The house at Rexton!" exclaimed the young man. + +"Exactly. I got an architect to build it according to designs +suggested by Selina. When our engagement was broken and I +became--out of pique, remember--engaged to Miss Saul, I +still went on building the house. Selina, I believe, was very +angry. One week when I was out of London she went down with +her sister to see the house, and there met Emilia." + +"Ah! then there was trouble?" + +"No; there was no time for a quarrel, if that is what you +mean. When the three met, Emilia was walking across a plank +on the unfinished second story. On seeing the Loach girls-- +this is Isabella's tale--Emilia lost her footing and fell +thirty feet. She was killed almost instantaneously, and her +face was much disfigured. This took place during the dinner +hour when the workmen were absent. When they returned, the +body was found and recognized by the clothes." + +"Did not the girls remain?" + +"No. They took fright at the accident and returned home. But +here a fresh disaster awaited them. Mr. Loach was dead. He +died suddenly of heart disease. Selina at once broke her +engagement with the American, and--" + +"And returned to you?" + +"Strangely enough she did not. I never saw her again. After +the death of the father the girls went to the Continent, and +only came back after two years abroad. Then Isabella, after +vainly trying to get me to marry her, became the wife of +Saxon, then a rising barrister. Selina went to Rexton and +shut herself up in the house she now has." + +"The house she did have," corrected Cuthbert, "you forget she +is dead." + +"Yes. I tried to see her, but she refused to look on my face +again, alleging that I had treated her badly by becoming +engaged to Miss Saul. That poor soul was buried, and then I +shut up the house and left it as it is now. I travelled, as +you know, for years, and I am travelling still, for the matter +of that," added Caranby with a sigh, "all Selina's fault. She +was the only woman I ever loved." + +"But was there not an inquest held on Emilia's body?" + +"Oh yes, and Isabella gave evidence as to the accident. +Selina was too ill to appear. But there was no need. The +cause of the death was plain enough. Moreover, Emilia had no +relatives who cared to make inquiries. She left very little +money, so those she had, did not trouble themselves." + +"It is a strange story," said Cuthbert, looking puzzled. "Had +you an idea that Emilia may have been pushed off the plank by +Selina?" + +"Certainly not," rejoined Caranby indignantly. "She was a +good and kind girl. She would not do such a thing." + +"Humph!" said Mallow, remembering the eagle nose and thin lips +of Miss Loach. "I'm not so sure of that." + +"Isabella, who was passionate, might have done it," resumed +Caranby, "often did I wish to speak to her on the subject, but +I never did. And after all, the jury brought in a verdict of +accidental death, so there was no use making trouble." + +"Had Emilia no relatives who might have made inquiries?" + +"I believe she had a brother who was a clerk in an office, +but, as I said, she left no money, so he did not bother +himself. I saw him after the death, and the sight of him made +me glad I had not married his sister. He looked a thorough +blackguard, sly and dangerous. But, as I said, Emilia came of +low people. It was only her fine voice and great talents that +brought her into the society where I met her. I have never +heard of her brother since. I expect he is dead by this time. +It is over twenty years ago. But you can now understand why +Mrs. Octagon objects to the marriage. She has never forgiven +me for not making her my wife." + +Cuthbert nodded again. "But I can't understand why she should +have consented at all, only to alter her mind when Selina +died." + +"I can't understand that myself. But I decline to mix myself +up in the matter. You will have to learn the reason +yourself." + +"I intend to," said Mallow rising, "and the reason I am +certain is connected with the violent death of her sister!" A +speech to which Caranby replied by shaking his head. He did +not agree with the idea. + +"And you see, in spite of Mrs. Octagon's hint, I had no reason +to kill Selina," said Caranby gravely. "I cannot understand +why Isabella should accuse me--" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A PERPLEXING CASE + + +The morning after his visit to Lord Caranby, Mallow was +unexpectedly called to Devonshire on account of his mother's +illness. Mrs. Mallow was a fretful hypochondriac, who always +imagined herself worse than she really was. Cuthbert had +often been summoned to her dying bed, only to find that she +was alive and well. He expected that this summons would be +another false alarm, but being a dutiful son, he tore himself +away from town and took the mid-day express to Exeter. As he +expected, Mrs. Mallow was by no means so bad as she hinted in +her wire, and Cuthbert was vexed that she should have called +him down, but she insisted that he should remain, and, +unwilling to cause her pain, he did so. It was four days +before he returned to London. But his visit to Exeter was not +without results, for he asked his mother about Caranby's +romance. Mrs. Mallow knew all about it, and highly +disapproved of her brother-in-law. + +"He's crazy," she said vigorously, when the subject was +brought up one evening. "All his life he has been queer. +Your father should have had the title, Cuthbert!" + +"Well, I shall have it some day," said her son soothingly. +"Caranby is not likely to marry." + +"Yes, but I'll never be Lady Caranby," lamented Mrs. Mallow, +who was intensely selfish and egotistical. "And I should have +adorned the title. Such an old one as it is, too. But I'm +glad that horrid Selina Loach never became his wife. Even +that Saul girl would have been better." + +"Don't speak evil of the dead, mother." + +"I don't see why we should praise the bad dead," snapped Mrs. +Mallow. "I never liked either Isabella nor Selina. They were +both horrid girls and constantly quarrelling. They hardly +ever spoke to one another, and how you can contemplate +marrying the daughter of Isabella, I really don't know. Such +a slight to me. But there, I've said all I had to say on the +subject." + +To do her justice, Mrs. Mallow certainly had, and never ceased +nagging at Cuthbert to break the engagement. Had she known +that Mrs. Octagon had forbidden the marriage she would have +rejoiced, but to save making awkward explanations to a woman +who would not hold her tongue, Cuthbert said nothing about the +breach. + +"Did you like Miss Saul, mother?" he asked. + +"I only saw her on the concert platform," said Mrs. Mallow, +opening her eyes, "gracious, Cuthbert, I never associated +myself with those sort of people. Caranby was infatuated with +her. To be sure, he got engaged to spite Selina, and she +really did treat him badly, but I believe Miss Saul--such a +horrid Hebrew name, isn't it--hypnotized him. He forgot her +almost as soon as she died, in spite of his ridiculous idea of +shutting up that house. And such valuable land as there is at +Rexton too. Well, I hope this violent death of Selina will be +a warning to Caranby. Not that I wish him any harm, in spite +of your being next heir to the title, and we do need money." + +While Mrs. Mallow rambled on in this diffusive manner, +Cuthbert was thinking. When she ended, "Why should this death +be a warning to Caranby?" he asked quickly. + +"Good gracious, Cuthbert, don't get on my nerves. Why?-- +because I believe that Selina pushed Miss Saul off that +plank and killed her. She was just the kind of violent girl +who would do a thing like that. And Miss Saul's relatives have +waited all these years to kill Selina, and now she's dead, +they will kill Caranby because he did not marry the wretched +girl." + +Cuthbert stared. "Mother, what are you talking about? +Caranby told me that Miss Saul had only one brother, and that +probably he was dead." + +"Ah," said Mrs. Mallow, "he didn't tell you that Miss Saul's +father was arrested for coining or passing false money, I +forget which. I believe the brother was involved also, but I +can't be sure. But I only know the girl was dead then, and +the Saul family did not move in the matter, as the police knew +too much about them. + +"Good gracious!" shuddered the lady, "to think if she had lived, +Caranby would have married into that family and have cheated you +of the title." + +"Are you sure of what you say, mother?" + +"Of course I am. Look up any old file of newspapers and +you'll read all about the matter. It's old history now. But +I really won't talk any more of these things, Cuthbert. If I +do, there will be no sleep for me to-night. Oh dear me, such +nerves as I have." + +"Did you ever see Miss Saul, mother?" + +"I told you I did on the platform. She was a fine, large, big +girl, with a hook nose and big black eyes. Rather like Selina +and Isabella, for I'm sure they have Jewish blood in their +veins. Miss Saul--if that was her real name--might have +passed as a relative of those horrid Loach girls." + +"Mrs. Octagon and her sister who died are certainly much +alike." + +"Of course they are, and if Miss Saul had lived they would +have been a kind of triplets. I hate that style of beauty +myself," said Mrs. Mallow, who was slim and fair, "so coarse. +Everyone called those Loach girls pretty, but I never did +myself. I never liked them, and I won't call on Mrs. Octagon-- +such a vulgar name--if you marry fifty of her wretched +daughters, Cuthbert." + +"Don't say that, mother. Juliet is an angel!" + +"Then she can't be her mother's daughter," said Mrs. Mallow +obscurely, and finished the discussion in what she considered +to be a triumphant manner. Nor would she renew it, though her +son tried to learn more about the Loach and Saul families. +However, he was satisfied with the knowledge he had acquired. + +While returning next day to London, he had ample time to think +over what he had been told. Miss Selina Loach had certainly +shut herself up for many years in Rose Cottage, and it seemed +as though she was afraid of being hurt in some way. Perhaps +she even anticipated a violent death. And then Mrs. Octagon +hinted that she knew who had killed her sister. It might not +have been Caranby after all, whom she meant, but one of the +Saul family, as Mrs. Mallow suggested. + +"I wonder if it is as my mother thinks," mused Cuthbert, +staring out of the window at the panorama of the landscape +moving swiftly past. "Perhaps Selina did kill Miss Saul, and +shut herself up to avoid being murdered by one of the +relatives. Caranby said that Selina did not go to the +inquest, but pretended she was ill. Then she and her sister +went to the continent for two years, and finally, when they +returned, Selina instead of taking her proper place in society +as Isabella did, shut herself up as a recluse in Rose Cottage. +The Saul family appear to have been a bad lot. I should like +to look up that coining case. I wonder if I dare tell +Jennings." + +He was doubtful of the wisdom of doing this. If he told what +he knew, and set Jennings on the track, it might be that a +scandal would arise implicating Mrs. Octagon. Not that +Cuthbert cared much for her, but she was Juliet's mother, and +he wanted to avert any trouble likely to cause the girl pain. +A dozen times on the journey Cuthbert altered his mind. First +he thought he would tell Jennings, then he decided to hold his +peace. This indecision was not like him, but the case was so +perplexing, and such serious issues were involved, that the +young man felt thoroughly worried. + +Hitherto he had seen nothing new about the case in the papers, +but on reaching Swindon he bought a few and looked through +them. His search was rewarded by finding an article on the +crime. The inquest had been held, and the jury had brought in +a verdict of "Murder against some person or persons unknown!" +But it was plainly stated that the police could not find a +clue to the assassin. The article in question did not pretend +to solve the mystery, but collocated the facts so as to put +the case in a nutshell. + +"The facts are these," said the journal, after a preliminary +introduction. "A quiet maiden lady living at Rose Cottage, +Rexton, received three friends to a card-party. Difference +arising--and such things will arise amongst the best when +cards are in question--two of the friends, Mrs. Herne, an +old lady and life-long friend of the deceased, and Mr. Hale, a +lawyer of repute and the legal adviser of Miss Loach, depart +before ten o'clock. In her evidence Mrs. Herne stated that +she and Mr. Hale left at half-past nine, and her assertion was +corroborated by Mr. Hale himself. Mr. Clancy, the third +friend, left at ten, being shown out by the maid Susan Grant, +who then returned to the kitchen. She left Miss Loach seated +in her usual chair near the fire, and with a pack of cards on +her lap. Probably the deceased lady intended to play a game +of 'Patience'! + +"The four servants, three women and a man, had their supper. +During the supper the man asserted that he heard the front +door open, but as Miss Loach was in the habit of walking in +the garden before retiring, it was thought that she had gone +out to take her usual stroll. Whether the man heard the door +open or shut he was not quite sure. However, thinking his +mistress was walking in the garden as usual, the man paid no +further attention to the incident. At eleven (precisely at +eleven, for the kitchen clock struck), the sitting-room bell +rang. Susan Grant entered the room, and found Miss Loach +seated in her chair exactly as she had left her, even to the +fact that the cards were in her lap. But she had been stabbed +to the heart with some sharp instrument and was quite dead. +The front door was closed and the windows barred. + +"Now it is certain that Miss Loach met her death between the +hours of ten and eleven. Susan Grant saw her alive at ten, +seated in her usual chair with the cards on her lap, and at +eleven, she there found her dead, still with the cards. It +would seem as though immediately after the servants left the +room someone had stabbed the deceased to the heart, before she +had time to rise or even alter her position. But Susan Grant +asserts that no one was in the room. There was only one door, +out of which she departed. The bedroom of Miss Loach on the +basement floor had a door which opened into the passage, as +did the sitting-room door. No one could have entered until +the servant departed. The passage was lighted with electricity, +but she did not observe anyone about, nor did she hear a sound. +She showed out Mr. Clancy and then returned to the kitchen. +Certainly the assassin may have been concealed in the bedroom +and have stolen into the sitting-room when Susan Grant was +showing out Mr. Clancy. Perhaps then he killed the deceased +suddenly, as we said before. He could have then come up the +stairs and have escaped while the servants were at supper. +It might have been the murderer who opened the door, and was +overheard by Thomas. + +"The policeman was on duty about ten, as he was seen by Susan +Grant when she showed Mr. Clancy to the door. The policeman +also asserted that he was again on the spot--i.e., in the +roadway opposite the cottage--at eleven. At these times the +assassin could not have escaped without being seen. There is +no exit at the back, as a high wall running round an +unfinished house belonging to the eccentric Lord Caranby +blocks the way. Therefore the assassin must have ventured +into the roadway. He could then have walked up the lane into +the main streets of Rexton, or have taken a path opposite to +the gate of Rose Cottage, which leads to the railway station. +Probably, after executing the crime, he took this latter way. +The path runs between quickset hedges, rather high, for a long +distance, past houses, and ends within fifty yards of the +railway station. The criminal could take the first train and +get to town, there to lose himself in the wilderness of +London. + +"So far so good. But the strangest thing about this most +mysterious affair is that the bell in the sitting-room rang +two minutes before Susan Grant entered the room to find her +mistress dead. This was some time after the closing of the +door overheard by Thomas; therefore the assassin could not +have escaped that way. Moreover, by this time the policeman +was standing blocking the pathway to the station. Again, the +alarm was given immediately by the other servants, who rushed +to the sitting-room on hearing Susan's scream, and the +policeman at once searched the house. No one was found. + +"Now what are we to make of all this? The doctor declares +that Miss Loach when discovered had been dead half an hour, +which corresponds with the time the door was heard to open or +shut by Thomas. So far, it would seem that the assassin had +escaped then, having committed the crime and found the coast +inside and outside the house clear for his flight. But who +rang the bell? That is the question we ask. The deceased +could not have done so, as, according to the doctor, the poor +lady must have died immediately. Again, the assassin would +not have been so foolish as to ring and thus draw attention to +his crime, letting alone the question that he could not have +escaped at that late hour. We can only offer this solution. + +"The assassin must have been concealed in the bedroom, and +after Susan ascended the stairs to let Mr. Clancy out, he must +have stolen into the sitting-room and have killed the old lady +before she could even rise. She might have touched the bell, +and the button (the bell is an electric one) may have got +fixed. Later on, the heat of the room, warping the wood round +the ivory button, may have caused it to slip out, and thus the +bell would have rung. Of course our readers may say that when +pressed down the bell would have rung continuously, but an +examination has revealed that the wires were out of order. It +is not improbable that the sudden release of the button may +have touched the wires and have set them ringing. The peal is +described as being short and sharp. This theory is a weak +one, we are aware, but the whole case is so mysterious that, +weak as it is, we can offer no other solution. + +"Mrs. Herne, the servants, and Messrs. Hale and Clancy were +examined. All insist that Miss Loach was in her usual health +and spirits, and had no idea of committing suicide, or of +being in any danger of sudden death. The weapon cannot be +discovered, nor the means--save as we suggest above-- +whereby the assassin can have made his escape. The whole +affair is one of the most mysterious of late years, and will +doubtless be relegated to the list of undiscovered crimes. +The police have no clue, and apparently despair of finding +one. But the discovery of the mystery lies in the bell. Who +rang it? or did it ring of itself, as we suggest above." + +Cuthbert laid down the paper with a shrug. The article did +not commend itself to him, save as the means of making a +precis of the case. The theory of the bell appeared +excessively weak, and he could not understand a man being so +foolish as to put it forward. + +"If the button was pressed down by Miss Loach, the bell would +have rung at once," argued Cuthbert; "and when it slipped up, +even with the heat, the ringing would have stopped. But the +bell rang at eleven, and the girl was in the room two minutes +later. Someone must have rung it. But why did someone do +this, and how did someone escape after ringing in so +fool-hardy a manner?" + +He could not find an answer to this question. The whole case +was indeed most perplexing. There seemed absolutely no answer +to the riddle. Even supposing Miss Loach had been murdered +out of a long-delayed revenge by a member of the Saul family-- +and that theory appeared ridiculous to Mallow--the +question was how did the assassin escape? Certainly, having +regard to the cards still being on the lap of the deceased, +and the closing of the door at a time when the policeman was +not in the vicinity, the assassin may have escaped in that +way. But how did he come to be hidden in the bedroom, and how +did he kill the old lady before she had time to call out or +even rise, seeing that he had the whole length of the room to +cross before reaching her? And again, the escape of the +assassin at this hour did not explain the ringing of the bell. +Cuthbert was deeply interested, and wondered if the mystery +would ever be solved. "I must see Jennings after all," he +thought as the train steamed into Paddington. + +And see Jennings he did, sooner than he expected. That same +evening when he was dressing to go out, a card was brought. +It was inscribed "Miles Jennings." Rather surprised that the +detective should seek him out so promptly, Cuthbert entered +his sitting-room. Jennings, who was standing with his back to +the window, saluted him with a pleasant smile, and spoke to +him as to an equal. Of course he had every right to do so +since he had been at school with Mallow, but somehow the +familiarity irritated Cuthbert. + +"Well, Jennings, what is it?" + +"I came to ask you a few questions, Mallow." + +"About what?" + +"About the murder at Rose Cottage." + +"But, my dear fellow, I know nothing about it." + +"You knew Miss Loach?" + +"Yes. I saw her once or twice. But I did not like her." + +"She is the aunt of the young lady you are engaged to marry?" + +Mallow drew himself up stiffly. "As a matter of fact she is," +he said with marked coldness. "But I don't see--" + +"You will in a minute," said Jennings briskly. "Pardon me, +but are you in love with another woman?" + +Mallow grew red. "What the devil do you mean by coming here +to ask me such a question?" he demanded. + +"Gently, Mallow, I am your friend, and you may need one." + +"What do you mean. Do you accuse me of--" + +"I accuse you of nothing," said Jennings quickly, "but I ask +you, why did you give this photograph, with an inscription, to +the servant of the murdered woman." + +"I recognize my photograph, but the servant--" + +"Susan Grant. The picture was found in her possession. She +refuses to speak," here the detective spoke lower, "in case +you get into trouble with the police." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE DETECTIVE + + +The two men looked at one another, Jennings searchingly, and +Cuthbert with a look of mingled amazement and indignation. +They were rather like in looks, both being tall, slim and +fair-haired. But Mallow wore a mustache, whereas the +detective, possibly for the sake of disguising himself on +occasions, was clean-shaven. But although Jennings' +profession was scarcely that of a gentleman, he looked +well-bred, and was dressed with the same quiet taste and +refinement as characterized Mallow. The public-school stamp +was on both, and they might have been a couple of young men +about town discussing sport rather than an officer of the law +and a man who (it seemed from Jennings' hints) was suspected +of complicity in a crime. + +"Do you mean this for a jest?" said Cuthbert at length. + +"I never jest on matters connected with my profession, Mallow. +It is too serious a one." + +"Naturally. It so often involves the issues of life and +death." + +"In this case I hope it does not," said Jennings, +significantly. + +Cuthbert, who was recovering his composure, sat down with a +shrug. "I assure you, you have found a mare's nest this time. +Whatever my follies may have been, I am not a criminal." + +"I never thought you were," rejoined the other, also taking a +seat, "but you may have become involved with people who are +criminals." + +"I dare say half of those one meets in society are worthy of +jail, did one know what is done under the rose," returned +Cuthbert; "by the way, how did you come so opportunely?" + +"I knew you had gone out of town, as I came a few days ago to +see you about this matter, and inquired. Your servant said +you were in Devonshire--" + +"I went to see my mother who was ill," said Mallow quickly. + +"I guessed as much. You said something about your mother +living in Exeter when we met last. Well, I had Paddington +watch for your return, and my messenger--" + +"Your spy, you mean," said Mallow angrily. + +"Certainly, if you prefer the term. Well, your spy--I mean +my spy, reported that you were back, so I came on here. Are +you going out?" + +"I was, but if you wish to arrest me--" + +"Nonsense, man. I have only come to have a quiet chat with +you. Believe me, I wish you well. I have not forgotten the +old Eton days." + +"I tell you what, Jennings, I won't stand this talk from any +man. Are you here as a gentleman or as a detective?" + +"As both, I hope," replied the other dryly, "but are we not +wasting valuable time? If you wish to go out this evening, +the sooner we get to business the better. Will you answer my +questions?" + +"I must know what they are first," said Cuthbert defiantly. + +Jennings looked irritated. "If you won't treat me properly, I +may as well leave the matter alone," he said coldly. "My +position is quite unpleasant enough as it is. I came here to +an old schoolfellow as a friend--" + +"To try and implicate him in a crime. Thanks for nothing." + +Jennings, whose patience appeared to be exhausted, rose. +"Very well, then, Mallow. I shall go away and hand over the +matter to someone else. I assure you the questions must be +answered." + +Cuthbert made a sign to the other to be seated, which Jennings +seemed by no means inclined to obey. He stood stiffly by his +chair as Mallow paced the room reflectively. "After all, I +don't see why we should quarrel," said the latter at length. + +"That's just what I've been driving at for the last ten +minutes." + +"Very good," said Mallow soothingly, "let us sit down and +smoke. I have no particular engagement, and if you will have +some coffee--" + +"I will have both cigarette and coffee if you will help me to +unravel this case," said Jennings, sitting down with a +smoother brow. + +"But I don't see what I can--" + +"You'll see shortly. Will you be open with me?" + +"That requires reflection." + +"Reflect as long as you like. But if you decline, I will hand +the case over to the next man on the Scotland Yard list. He +may not deal with you so gently." + +"I don't care how he deals with me," returned Mallow, +haughtily; "having done no wrong, I am not afraid. And, what +is more, Jennings, I was coming to see you as soon as I +returned. You have only forestalled our interview." + +"What did you wish to see me about?" + +"This case," said Cuthbert, getting out a box of cigarettes +and touching the bell. +"The deuce!" said Jennings briskly, "then you do know +something?" + +Cuthbert handed him the box and gave an order for coffee. +"Any liqueur?" he asked in friendly tones. + +"No. I never drink when on--ah--er--pleasure," said the +other, substituting another word since the servant was in the +room. "Well," he asked when the door closed, "why did you +wish to see me?" + +"To ask if you remember a coining case that took place some +twenty years ago?" + +"No. That was before my time. What case is it?" + +"Some people called Saul were mixed up in it." + +"Humph! Never heard of them," said Jennings, lighting his +cigarette, "but it is strange you should talk of coining. I +and several other fellows are looking for a set of coiners +now. There are a lot of false coins circulating, and they are +marvellously made. If I can only lay my hands on the coiners +and their factory, there will be a sensation." + +"And your reputation will be enhanced." + +"I hope so," replied the detective, reddening. "I want a rise +in my salary, as I wish to marry. By the way, how is Miss +Saxon?" + +"Very well. You met her, did you not?" + +"Yes! You took me to that queer house. What do they call it? +the--'Shrine of the Muses'--where all the sham art exists. +Why do you look so grave, old boy?" + +The two men, getting more confidential, were dropping into the +language of school-days and speaking more familiarly. Mallow +did not reply at once, as his servant had just brought in the +coffee. But when each gentleman was supplied with a cup and +they were again alone, he looked gravely at Miles. "I want to +ask your advice," he said, "and if you are my friend--" + +"I am, of course I am." + +"Well, then, I am as interested in finding out who killed Miss +Loach as you are." + +"Why is that?" demanded Jennings, puzzled. + +"Before I answer and make a clean breast of it, I should like +you to promise that you will get no one I know into trouble." + +Jennings hesitated. "That is a difficult matter. Of course, +if I find the assassin, even if he or she is one of your +friends, I must do my duty." + +"Oh, I don't expect anything of that sort," said Mallow +easily, "but why do you say 'he' or 'she'?" + +"Well, the person who killed Miss Loach might be a woman." + +"I don't see how you make that out," said Cuthbert +reflectively. "I read the case coming up in the train to-day, +and it seems to me from what The Planet says that the whole +thing is a mystery." + +"One which I mean to dive into and discover," replied Miles. +"I do not care for an ordinary murder case, but this is one +after my own heart. It is a criminal problem which I should +like to work out." + +"Do you see your way as yet?" asked Cuthbert. + +"No," confessed Jennings, "I do not. I saw the report you +speak of. The writer theorizes without having facts to go on. +What he says about the bell is absurd. All the same, the bell +did ring and the assassin could not have escaped at the time +it sounded. Nor could the deceased have rung it. Therein +lies the mystery, and I can't guess how the business was +managed." + +"Do you believe the assassin rang the bell?" + +Miles shrugged his shoulders and sipped his coffee. "It is +impossible to say. I will wait until I have more facts before +me before I venture an opinion. It is only in detective +novels that the heaven-born Vidocq can guess the truth on a +few stray clues. But what were you going to tell me?" + +"Will you keep what I say to yourself?" + +"Yes," said Jennings, readily enough, "so long as it doesn't +mean the escape of the person who is guilty." + +"I don't ask you to betray the confidence placed in you by the +authorities to that extent," said Mallow, "just wait a +moment." + +He leaned his chin on his hand and thought. If he wished to +gain the hand of Juliet, it was necessary he should clear up +the mystery of the death. Unaided, he could not do so, but +with the assistance of his old schoolfellow--following his +lead in fact--he might get at the truth. Then, when the +name of the assassin of her sister was known, the reason of +Mrs. Octagon's strange behavior might be learned, and, +moreover, the discovery might remove her objection. On the +other hand, Cuthbert could not help feeling uneasy, lest Mrs. +Octagon had some secret connected with the death which made +her refuse her consent to the match, and which, if he +explained to Jennings what he knew, might become known in a +quarter which she might not approve of. However, Mallow was +certain that, in spite of Mrs. Octagon's hint, his uncle had +nothing to do with the matter, and he had already warned her-- +although she refused to listen--that he intended to trace +the assassin. Under these circumstances, and also because +Jennings was his friend and more likely to aid him, than get +anyone he knew and respected into trouble, the young man made +up his mind to tell everything. + +"The fact is, I am engaged to Juliet Saxon," he began, +hesitatingly. + +"I know that. She is the daughter of that absurd Mrs. +Octagon, with the meek husband and the fine opinion of +herself." + +"Yes. But Juliet is the niece of Miss Loach." + +"What!" Jennings sprang from his chair with a look of +surprise; "do you mean to tell me that Mrs. Octagon is Miss +Loach's sister." + +"I do. They quarrelled many years ago, and have not been +friendly for years. Mrs. Octagon would never go and see her +sister, but she did not forbid her children being friendly. +As you may guess, Mrs. Octagon is much distressed about the +murder, but the strange thing is that she declares this death +renders it impossible for me to marry her daughter." + +Jennings looked searchingly at his friend. "That is strange. +Does she give no reason?" + +"No. But knowing my uncle knew her when she was a girl, I +thought I would ask him what he thought. He told me that he +had once been engaged to Miss Loach, and--" + +"Well, go on," said Miles, seeing Cuthbert hesitating. + +"There was another lady in the case." + +"There usually is," said Jennings dryly. "Well?" + +"The other lady's name was Saul--Emilia Saul." + +"Oh," Miles sat down again. He had remained standing for a +few moments. "Saul was the name you mentioned in connection +with the coining case of twenty years ago." + +Cuthbert nodded, and now, being fully convinced that he badly +needed Jennings' aid, he told all that he had heard from +Caranby, and detailed what his mother had said. Also, he +touched on the speech of Mrs. Octagon, and repeated the +warning he had given her. Miles listened quietly, but made no +remark till his friend finished. + +"You have told me all you know?" he asked. + +"Yes. I want you to help me. Not that I think what I have +learned has anything to do with the case." + +"I'm not so sure of that," said Jennings musingly, his eyes on +the carpet. "Mrs. Octagon bases her refusal to allow the +marriage on the fact of the death. However, you have warned +her, and she must take the consequence." + +"But, my dear Jennings, you don't think she has anything to do +with the matter. I assure you she is a good, kind woman--" + +"With a violent temper, according to your mother," finished +Jennings dryly. "However, don't alarm yourself. I don't +think she is guilty." + +"I should think not," cried Mallow, indignantly. "Juliet's +mother!" + +"But she may have something to do with the matter all the +same. However, you have been plain with me, and I will do all +I can to help you. The first thing is for us to follow up the +clue of the portrait." + +"Ah, yes! I had quite forgotten that," said Mallow, casting a +look on the photograph which lay near at hand. "Just pass it, +will you." + +Miles did so. "You say you recognize it," he said. + +"I recognize my own face. I had several portraits done like +this. I think this one--" Mallow looked at the inscription +which he read for the first time, and his face grew pale. + +"What is it?" asked Miles eagerly. + +"I don't know," faltered the other uneasily. + +"You recognize the inscription?" + +"Yes, I certainly wrote that." + +"It is quite a tender inscription," said Miles, his eyes on +the disturbed face of the other. "'With my dear love,' it +reads." + +Cuthbert laid down the portrait and nodded. "Yes! That is +the inscription," he said in low tones, and his eyes sought +the carpet. + +"You wrote that to a servant." + +"What servant?" + +"The new parlor-maid engaged by Miss Loach on the day of her +death--Susan Grant." + +"I remember the name. I saw it in the papers." + +"Do you know the girl well?" asked Jennings. + +"I don't know her at all." + +"Come now. A man doesn't give a portrait with such an +inscription to any unknown girl, nor to one he is not in love +with." + +"Jennings," cried Mallow indignantly, "how can you think--" +his voice died away and he clenched his hands. + +"What am I to think then?" demanded the detective. + +"What you like." + +"That you love this Susan Grant?" + +"I tell you I never set eyes on her," said Cuthbert violently. + +"Then how does she come into possession of your portrait?" +asked the other. Then seeing that Mallow refused to speak, he +laid a persuasive hand on his shoulder. "You must speak out," +he said quickly, "you have told me so much you must tell me +all. Matters can't stand as they are. No," here Jennings +looked straight into Mallow's eyes, "you did not give that +portrait to Susan Grant." + +"I never said so." + +"Don't be an ass, Mallow. You say you don't know the girl, +therefore you can hardly have given her the photograph. Now +the inscription shows that it was given to a woman you are in +love with. You told me when you introduced me to Miss Saxon +that she was the only woman you ever loved. Therefore you +gave this portrait with its tender inscription to her." + +"I--I can't say." + +"You mean you won't trust me," said Jennings. + +Cuthbert rose quickly and flung off his friend's arm. "I wish +to Heaven I had never opened my mouth to you," he said. + +"My dear fellow, you should show more confidence in me. I +know quite well why you won't acknowledge that you gave this +photograph to Miss Saxon. You think it will implicate her in +the matter." + +"Jennings!" cried Cuthbert, his face growing red and fierce. + +"Wait a moment," resumed the other calmly and without +flinching. "I can explain. You gave the photograph to Miss +Saxon. She gave it to Miss Loach, and Susan Grant falling in +love with your face, took possession of it. It was found in +her trunk." + +"Yes--yes, that's it!" cried Mallow, catching at a straw. +"I did give the photograph to Juliet, and no doubt she gave it +to her aunt. It would be easy for this girl to take it. +Though why she should steal it," said Cuthbert perplexed, "I +really can't say!" + +"You don't know her?" asked Jennings. + +"No. Really, I don't. The name is quite unknown to me. What +is the girl like in appearance?" Jennings described Susan to +the best of his ability, but Cuthbert shook his head. "No, I +never saw her. You say she had this photograph in her trunk?" +Then, on receiving an affirmative reply, "She may have found +it lying about and have taken it, though why she should I +can't say." + +"So you said before," said Jennings dryly. "But strange as it +may appear, Mallow, this girl is in love with you." + +"How do you know that?" + +"Well, you see," said Miles, slowly. "After the murder I +searched the boxes of the servants in the house for the +weapon." + +"But there was no danger of them being accused?" + +"No. Nor would I have searched their boxes had they not +insisted. But they were all so afraid of being accused, that +they wished to exonerate themselves as much as possible. The +fact that the whole four were in the kitchen together at the +time the crime was committed quite clears them. However, they +insisted, so I looked into their boxes. I found this +photograph in the box of the new housemaid. She refused to +state how it came into her possession, and became so red, and +wept so much, that I soon saw that she loved you." + +"But I tell you it's ridiculous. I don't know the girl--and +a servant, too. Pshaw!" + +"Well, then, I must get her to see you, and possibly some +explanation may be made. I took possession of the photograph--" + +"Why? On what grounds should my photograph interest you, +Jennings?" + +"On the grounds that you are a friend of mine, and that I knew +your face the moment I saw it. I naturally asked the girl how +it came into her possession, as I know your tastes don't lie +in the way of pretty parlor-maids, however attractive. It was +her reply which made me take the portrait and come to ask you +for an explanation." + +"What reply did she make?" demanded Cuthbert, exasperated by +the false position he was placed in. + +"She said that she would explain nothing in case you should +get into trouble with the police. Can you explain that?" + +"No," said Mallow, perplexed. "I really cannot be responsible +for the vagaries of a parlor-maid. I don't know the name +Susan Grant, and from your description of her appearance, I +never set eyes on her. I am quite sure your explanation is +the correct one. Juliet crave it to her aunt, and for some +ridiculous reason this girl stole it." + +"But her remark about the police." + +Mallow made a gesture of helplessness, and leaned his elbow on +the mantelpiece. "I can't guess what she means. Well, what +will you do now, Jennings?" + +"First, I shall get the girl to come here and see you. Then I +shall ask Miss Saxon why she gave the photograph to Miss +Loach. You were not a favorite with the old lady, I gather." + +"On the contrary, she liked me much more than I did her." + +"You see. She liked you so much that she insisted on having +your photograph. I must ask Miss Saxon when she gave it. +Will you let me bring this girl to see you to-morrow?" + +"Certainly. But it's all very unpleasant." + +The detective rose to go. "Most matters connected with a +crime are, my dear fellow," said he calmly. "I only hope +there will not be any more unpleasantness." + +"What do you mean?" + +"I can't say what I mean--yet." + +"You are mysterious, Jennings." + +"I am perplexed. I don't seemed to advance. However, I +intend to follow up the clue of your photograph, though if the +explanation I suggest is the true one, there's nothing more to +be said. But the girl, Susan Grant, has not the look of a +thief." + +"That means, I gave her the photograph," said Cuthbert +haughtily. + +"Not necessarily," rejoined Jennings, putting on his overcoat. +"But I will not theorize any more. Wait till I confront the +girl with you in a few days. Then we may force her to speak." + +Cuthbert shrugged his shoulders. "As you please. But I +really am at a loss to think what she will say." + +"So am I," said Jennings, as they walked to the door. "That +is why I am anxious to see her and you together. And, after +all, I may have found only a mare's nest." + +"You certainly have so far as I am concerned. By the way, +when is the body to be buried?" + +"The day after to-morrow. Then the will has to be read. I +hope the old lady will leave you some money, Mallow. She was +reported to be rich. Oh, by the way, I'll look up that Saul +coining case you speak of." + +"Why?" asked Mallow, bluntly and uneasily. + +"It may have some bearing on this matter. Only in the past +will we find the truth. And Miss Selina Loach certainly knew +Miss Saul." + +As Jennings departed the postman came up the stairs with the +late letters. Cuthbert found one from Juliet and opened it at +once. It contained one line-- + +"Don't see the police about aunt's death--JULIET." + +Cuthbert Mallow slept very badly that night. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE + + +The most obvious thing for Cuthbert to do was to seek Juliet +and ask for an explanation of her mysterious note. He went to +the "Shrine of the Muses" the very next day, but was informed +that Miss Saxon and her mother had gone out of town and would +not be back for a few days. He could not learn where they +were, and was leaving the house somewhat disconsolately when +he met Basil. + +"You here, Mallow," said that young gentleman, stopping short, +"have you been to see my mother?" + +"I went to see Juliet," replied Cuthbert, not sorry that the +meeting had taken place, "but I hear she is out of town." + +"Well, not exactly. The fact is, she and my mother have gone +down to Rose Cottage and intend to stop there until the +funeral is over and the will is read." + +"The will?" echoed Mallow. + +"Yes. Aunt Selina is likely to leave a great deal of money. +I expect it will all go to Juliet. She never liked me." + +"Yet you were frequently at her house." + +"I was," confessed Basil candidly. "I tried to make myself as +civil as possible, so that she might remember me. Between +ourselves, Mallow, I am deuced hard up. My mother hasn't much +money, I have none of my own, and old Octagon is as stingy as +he well can be." + +This sounded well coming from an idler who never did a stroke +of work, and who lived on the charity of his step-father. But +Basil had peculiar views as to money. He considered himself a +genius, and that Peter should be proud to support him until, +as he phrased it, he had "stamped his name on the age"! But +the stamping took a long time, and Basil troubled himself very +little about the matter. He remarked that genius should not +be forced, and loafed away the greater portion of his days. +His mother kept him in pocket-money and clothes, Peter +supplied board and lodging, and Basil got through life very +pleasantly. He wished to be famous, to have his name in every +mouth and his portrait in every paper; but the work that was +necessary to obtain these desirable things he was unwilling to +do. Cuthbert knew that the young fellow had been "born +tired"! and although something of an idler himself, liked +Basil none the more for his laziness. Had Mallow been poor he +would certainly have earned his bread, but he had a good +income and did not work. And, after all, he only pursued the +way of life in which he had been brought up. But Basil was +poor and had his career to make, therefore he certainly should +have labored. However, for Juliet's sake, Cuthbert was as +polite as possible. + +"If I were you, Saxon, I should leave cards alone," said +Mallow. + +"Nonsense! I don't play high. Besides, I have seen you at +Maraquito's also losing a lot." + +"I can afford to lose," said Cuthbert dryly, "you can't." + +"No, by Jove, you're right there. But don't preach, Mallow, +you ain't such a saint yourself." + +"Can I help you with a cheque?" + +Basil had good breeding enough to color. + +"No! I didn't explain myself for that," he said coldly, "and +besides, if Juliet comes in for Aunt Selina's money, I'll get +some. Juliet and I always share." + +This meant that Juliet was to give the money and Basil to +spend it. Mallow was disgusted with this candid selfishness. +However, he did not wish to quarrel with Basil, as he knew +Juliet was fond of him, and moreover, in the present state of +affairs, he was anxious to have another friend besides Mr. +Octagon in the house. "Perhaps Miss Loach may have left you +some money after all," he remarked. + +"By Jove, I hope so. I'll be in a hole if she has not. +There's a bill--" here he stopped, as though conscious of +having said too much. "But that will come into Juliet's +possession," he murmured. + +"What's that?" asked Cuthbert sharply. + +"Nothing--nothing--only a tailor's bill. As to getting +money by the will, don't you know I quarrelled with Aunt +Selina a week before her death. Yes, she turned me out of the +house." Here Basil's face assumed what may be described as an +ugly look. "I should like to have got even with the old cat. +She insulted me." + +"Gently, old fellow," said Mallow, seeing that Basil was +losing his temper, and having occasionally seen him in fits of +uncontrollable passion, "we're in the public street." + +Basil's brow cleared. "All right," he said, "don't bother, +I'll be all right when Juliet gets the money. By the way, +mother tells me you are not going to marry her." + +"Your mother is mistaken," rejoined Mallow gravely. "Juliet +and I are still engaged. I do not intend to give her up." + +"I told mother you would not give in easily," said Basil, +frowning, "but you can't marry Juliet." + +"Why not?" asked Cuthbert sharply; "do you know the reason?" + +Basil appeared about to say something, then suddenly closed +his mouth and shook his head. + +Cuthbert pressed him. "If you know the reason, tell me," he +said, "and I'll help you out of your difficulties. You know I +love Juliet, and your mother does not seem to have any excuse +to forbid the marriage." + +"I would help you if I could, but I can't. You had better ask +Juliet herself. She may tell you the reason." + +"How can I find her?" + +"Go down to Rose Cottage and ask to see her," suggested Basil. + +"Your mother will not admit me." + +"That's true enough. Well, I'll tell you what, Mallow, I'll +speak to Juliet and get her to make an appointment to see +you." + +"I could write and ask her for one myself." + +"Oh, no, you couldn't. Mother will intercept all letters." + +"Upon my word--" began Mallow angrily, then stopped. It was +useless to show his wrath before this silly boy, who could do +no good and might do a deal of harm. "Very well, then," he +said more mildly, "ask Juliet to meet me on the other side of +Rexton, under the wall which runs round the unfinished house." + +Basil started. "Why that place?" he asked nervously. + +"It is as good as any other." + +"You can't get inside." + +"That's true enough. But we can meet outside. I have been +inside though, and I made a mess of myself climbing the wall." + +"You were inside," began Basil, then suddenly appeared +relieved. "I remember; you were there on the day after Aunt +Selina was killed." + +"I have been there before that," said Cuthbert, wondering why +the young man avoided his eye in so nervous a manner. + +"Not at--at night?" murmured Saxon, looking away. + +"Once I was there at night. Why do you ask?" + +"Oh, nothing--nothing. I was just thinking it's a wild +place in which to find one's self at night. By the way," +added Basil, as though anxious to change a disagreeable +subject, "do you think Jarvey Hale a nice fellow?" + +"No, I don't. I have met him at Maraquito's, and I don't like +him. He's a bounder. Moreover, a respectable lawyer has no +right to gamble to the extent he does. I wonder Miss Loach +trusted him." + +"Perhaps she didn't know of his gambling," said Basil, his +eyes wandering everywhere but to the face of his companion; +"but, should you think Hale would be hard on a fellow?" + +"Yes, I should. Do you owe him money?" + +"A few pounds. He won't give me time to pay. And I say, +Mallow, I suppose all Aunt Selina's affairs will be left in +Hale's hands?" + +"I can't say. It depends upon the will. If everything is +left to Juliet, unconditionally, she may take her affairs out +of Hale's hands. I should certainly advise her to do so. +He's too intimate with Maraquito and her gambling salon to be +a decent lawyer." + +"You do seem down on gambling," said Basil, "yet you gamble +yourself a lot. But I expect Juliet will change her lawyer. +I hope she will." + +"Why?" asked Cuthbert sharply. + +"Oh," replied Basil, confused, "because I agree with you. +A gambler will not make a good lawyer--or a good husband +either," he added in an abrupt tone. "Good-day. I'll tell +Juliet," and he was off before Mallow could find words to +answer his last remark. + +Cuthbert, walking back to his rooms, wondered if it was on +account of the gambling that Mrs. Octagon objected to the +marriage. He really did not gamble much, but occasionally he +dropped into Maraquito's house, and there lost or won a few +pounds. Here he had often met Basil, and without doubt the +young man had told his mother. But he could hardly do this +without incriminating himself. All the same, Basil was a +thorough liar, and a confirmed tattler. He might have +blackened Mallow's character, and yet have told a story to +exonerate himself. His friendship appeared feigned, and +Cuthbert doubted if he would really tell Juliet of the +appointment. + +"That young man's in trouble," thought Mallow, "he is anxious +about Hale, and I shouldn't wonder if that respectable person +had lent him a large sum of money. Probably he counts on +getting the money from Juliet, should she inherit the fortune +of Miss Loach. Also he seems annoyed that I should have been +in Caranby's unfinished house at night. I wonder what he +would say if he knew my reason for going there. Humph! I +must keep that quiet. The only person I dare tell is Juliet; +but I can't speak to her about the matter just yet. And after +all, there is no need to mention my visit. It does not +concern her in the least. I wonder," here Cuthbert stopped, +struck with an idea. "By George! can it be that Basil was +near Rose Cottage on the night the crime was committed? +Juliet may know that, and so, fearful lest he should be +accused of the murder, asked me to stop proceedings. Can +Basil Saxon be guilty? No," Mallow shook his head and resumed +his walk, "he has not pluck enough to kill a fly." + +After this he dismissed the matter from his thoughts and +waited expectant of a letter from Juliet. None came, and he +was convinced that Basil had not delivered the message. This +being the case, Cuthbert determined to act for himself, and +one afternoon went down to Rexton. That same evening he had +an appointment with Jennings, who was to bring Susan Grant to +Mallow's rooms. But the young man quite expected to be back +in time to keep the appointment, and meantime he spent an hour +wandering round Rexton in the vicinity of Rose Cottage. But +afraid lest Mrs. Octagon should see him and keep Juliet within +doors, he abstained from passing in front of the house and +waited on the path which led to the station. + +While watching the cottage, a young woman came along the path. +She was neatly dressed and looked like a servant. Cuthbert +pressed himself against the quickset hedge to allow her to +pass, as there was very little room. The girl started as she +murmured her thanks, and grew crimson on seeing his face. +Cuthbert, not thinking, gave a passing thought to her looks +and wondered why she had blushed. But when he saw her enter +the gate of Rose Cottage--she looked back twice--he +recalled the description of Jennings. + +"By George!" he thought, "that was Susan Grant. I wish I had +spoken to her. I wonder why she blushed. She can't be in +love with me, as I never saw her before. All the same, it is +strange about the portrait." + +It was now about four o'clock, and Cuthbert fancied that after +all it would be best to boldly ring at the door and ask +admission, in spite of Mrs. Octagon. + +But while hesitating to risk all his chances of seeing Juliet +on one throw of fortune's dice, the matter was decided for him +by the appearance of Juliet herself. She came out of the gate +and walked directly towards the path. It would seem as though +she expected to find Cuthbert, for she walked straight up to +him and caught his hand. There was no one about to see their +meeting, but Juliet was not disposed to behave tenderly. + +"Why are you here?" she asked. "Susan Grant told me you--" + +"Susan Grant!" echoed Cuthbert, resolved not to know too much +in the presence of Juliet. "I saw her name in the papers. +How does she know me?" + +"I can't say," said Juliet quickly; "come along this way." +She hurried along the narrow path, talking all the time. "She +came in just now and said you were waiting in the by-path. I +came out at once. I don't want my mother to see you." + +"Really!" cried Cuthbert, rather nettled. "I don't see that I +have any reason to avoid Mrs. Octagon." + +"She will not allow me to see you. If she knew I was meeting +you she would be very angry. We are here only till to-morrow. +Now that Aunt Selina is buried and the will read, we return to +Kensington at once. Come this way. Let us get into the open. +I don't wish my mother to follow and find me speaking to you." + +They emerged into a waste piece of land, distant a stone-throw +from the railway station, but secluded by reason of many trees +and shrubs. These, belonging to the old Rexton estate, had +not yet been rooted up by the builder, and there ran a path +through the heart of the miniature wood leading to the +station. When quite screened from observation by the friendly +leafage, Juliet turned quickly. She was pale and ill in +looks, and there were dark circles under her eyes which told +of sleepless nights. But she was dressed with her usual care +and behaved in a composed manner. + +"I wish you had not come, Cuthbert," she said, again taking +his hand, "at least not at present. Later on--" + +"I wanted to see you at once," said Mallow, determinedly. +"Did not Basil tell you so?" + +Juliet shook her head. "He said he met you the other day, but +gave me no message." + +"Then he is not the friend I took him to be," said Mallow +angrily. + +"Don't be angry with Basil," said Juliet, gently. "The poor +boy has quite enough trouble." + +"Of his own making," finished Cuthbert, thoroughly annoyed. +"See here, Juliet, this sort of thing can't go on. I have +done nothing to warrant my being treated like this. Your +mother is mad to behave as she is doing. I insist on an +explanation." + +Juliet did not pay attention to this hasty speech. "How do +you know Basil has troubles?" she asked hurriedly. + +"Because I know he's a dissipated young ass," returned Mallow +roughly; "and I daresay you know it also." + +"Do you allude to his playing cards?" she asked quickly. + +"Yes. He has no right to tell you these things. But I know +he is in debt to Hale--he hinted as much the other day. I +would say nothing of this to you, but that I know he counts on +your paying his debts. I tell you, Juliet, it is wrong for +you to do so." + +"How do you know I can?" she asked. + +"I know nothing," said Cuthbert doggedly, "not even if you +have inherited the money of Miss Loach." + +"I have inherited it. She left everything to me, save +legacies to Thomas her servant, and to Emily Pill, the cook. +It is a large fortune. The will was read on the day of the +funeral. I have now six thousand a year." + +"So much as that? How did your aunt make such a lot of +money?" + +"Mr. Hale speculated a great deal on her account, and, he is +very lucky. At least so he told me. But the money is well +invested and there are no restrictions. I can easily pay the +few debts Basil owes, poor boy. You are too hard on him." + +"Perhaps I am. But he is so foolish, and he doesn't like me. +I believe he puts you against me, Juliet." + +The girl threw her arms round his neck. "Nothing in the world +would ever put me against you, Cuthbert," she whispered +vehemently. "I love you--I love you--with all my heart +and soul, with every fibre of my being do I love you. I don't +care what mother says, I love you." + +"Well, then," said Cuthbert, between kisses, "since you are +now rich and your own mistress--not that I care about the +money--why not marry me at once?" + +Juliet drew back, and her eyes dilated with fear. "I dare not-- +I dare not," she whispered. "You don't know what you ask." + +"Yes I do. Juliet, what is all this mystery about? I could +not understand the meaning of your letter." + +"Did you do what I asked?" she panted. + +"It was too late. I had told Jennings the detective all I +knew." + +"You were not afraid?" + +"Afraid!" echoed Cuthbert, opening his eyes. "What do you +mean?" + +She looked into his eyes. "No," she said to herself, "he is +not afraid." + +Cuthbert lost his temper. "I don't understand all this," he +declared, "if you would only speak out. But I can guess why +you wish me to stop the proceedings--you fear for Basil!" + +She stepped back a pace. "For Basil?" + +"Yes. From what he hinted the other day I believe he was +about this place on the night of the--" + +"Where are your proofs?" she gasped, recoiling. + +"I have none. I am only speaking on chance. But Basil is in +monetary difficulties--he is in debt to Hale--he counted +on you inheriting the money of Miss Loach to pay his debts. +He--" + +"Stop! stop!" cried Juliet, the blood rising to her face, +"this is only supposition. You can prove nothing." + +"Then why do you wish me to hold my tongue?" + +"There is nothing for you to hold your tongue about," she +answered evasively. "You know nothing." + +Cuthbert caught her hands and looked into her troubled eyes. +"Do you, Juliet--do you? Put an end to this mystery and +speak out." + +She broke from him and fled. "No," she cried, "for your sake +I keep silent. For your own sake stop the action of the +detective." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ANOTHER MYSTERY + + +When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, +he found Mallow in a state of desperation. Juliet's conduct +perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as +though on the point of losing his reason. He was quite +delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a +clear head in whom to confide. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that +something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face. + +"Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses. I +am glad you have come, Jennings. Things are getting more +mysterious every day. I am determined to get to the bottom of +this murder case if only for my own peace of mind. I am with +you heart and soul. I have the detective fever with a +vengeance. You can count on my assistance in every way." + +"All right, my dear chap," said the other soothingly, "sit +down and let us have a quiet talk before this girl arrives." + +"Susan Grant. I saw her to-day." + +"Did you speak to her?" + +"No. I only guessed that she was the girl you talked about +from your description and from the fact that she entered Rose +Cottage." + +"Ah," said Jennings, taking a seat, "so you have been down +there?" + +"Yes. I'll tell you all about it. I don't know if I'm sane +or insane, Jennings. When does this girl arrive?" + +The detective glanced at his watch. "At half-past eight. +She'll be here in half an hour. Go on. What's up?" + +"Read this," said Cuthbert, and passed along the note from +Juliet. "I received that immediately after you went the other +night." + +Jennings read the note with a thoughtful look, then laid it +aside and stared at his friend. "It is strange that she +should write in that way," said he. "I should have thought +she would wish to learn who killed her aunt. What does she +mean?" + +"I can't tell you. I met her to-day," and Cuthbert gave +details of his visit to Rexton and the interview with Juliet. +"Now what does she mean," he added in his turn, "talking as +though I had something to do with the matter?" + +"Someone's been poisoning her mind. That brother of hers, +perhaps." + +"What do you know of him?" asked Cuthbert quickly. + +"Nothing good. He's an hysterical idiot. Gambles a lot and +falls into rages when he loses. At times I don't think he's +responsible for his actions." + +Mallow threw himself back in his chair biting his moustache. +Every word Jennings spoke made him more confident that Basil +had something to do with the crime. But why Juliet should +hint at his own guilt Cuthbert could not imagine. Had he been +calmer he might have hesitated to tell Jennings about Basil. +But, exasperated by Juliet's half confidence, and anxious to +learn the truth, he gave the detective a full account of his +meeting with the young man. "What do you make of that?" he +asked. + +"Well," said Jennings doubtfully, "there's nothing much to go +upon in what he said. He's in difficulties with Hale +certainly--" + +"And he seemed anxious about my having been in Caranby's +grounds at night." +"Were you there?" + +"Yes. I did not intend to say anything about it, but I must +tell you everything so that you can put things straight +between me and Juliet. I can't understand her. But I am sure +her mother and Basil are trying to influence her against me. +I should not be surprised to learn that they accused me of +this murder." + +"But on what grounds?" asked Jennings quickly. + +"We'll come to that presently. But I now see why neither +Basil nor his mother want the marriage to take place. By the +will of Miss Loach Juliet comes in for six thousand a year, +which is completely at her own disposal. Mrs. Octagon and her +pet boy want to have the handling of that. They know if +Juliet becomes my wife I won't let them prey on her, so +immediately Miss Loach died the mother withdrew her consent to +the marriage, and now she is being backed up by Basil." + +"But I thought Mrs. Octagon was well off?" + +"No. Saxon, her late husband, left her very little, and +Octagon, for all his meekness, knows how to keep his money. +Both mother and son are extravagant, so they hope to make poor +Juliet their banker. In some way they have implicated me in +the crime, and Juliet thinks that I am in danger of the +gallows. That is why she wrote that mysterious note, Jennings. +To-day she asked me to stop proceedings for my own sake, which +shows that she thinks me guilty. I could not get a further +explanation from her, as she ran away. Hang it!" Cuthbert +jumped up angrily, "if she'd only tell me the truth and speak +straight out. I can't understand this silence on her part." + +"I can," said Jennings promptly, "in some way Basil is mixed +up in the matter, and his accusing you means his acknowledging +that he was near Rose Cottage on the night of the crime. He +funks making so damaging an admission." + +"Ah, I daresay," said Cuthbert, "particularly as he quarrelled +with his aunt a week before the death." + +"Did he quarrel with her?" + +"Of course. Didn't I tell you what he said to-day. He's in +a fine rage with the dead woman. And you know what an +uncontrollable temper he has. I've seen him rage at +Maraquito's when he lost at baccarat. Silly ass! He can't +play decently and lose his money like a gentleman. How Juliet +ever came to have such a bounder for a brother I can't +imagine. She's the soul of honor, and Basil--bah!" + +"He quarrelled with his aunt," murmured Jennings, "and he has +a violent temper, as we both knew. Humph! He may have +something to do with the matter. Do you know where he was on +that night?" + +"Yes. Juliet and he went to the Marlow Theatre to see a +melodrama by a new playwright." + +"Ha!" said Jennings half to himself, "and the Marlow Theatre +is not far from Rexton. I'll make a note of that. Had they a +box?" + +"I believe so. It was sent by the man who wrote the play." + +"Who is he?" + +"I can't say. One of that lot who play at being poets in +Octagon House. A set of idiots. But what do you make of all +this, Jennings?" + +"I think with you that Mrs. Octagon and her cub of a son are +trying to stop the marriage by bringing you into the matter of +the crime. Were you down there on that night?" + +"Yes," said Cuthbert with hesitation, and to Jennings' +surprise, "I did not intend to say anything about it, as my +uncle asked me to hold my tongue. But since things have come +to this pass, you may as well know that I was there--and +about the time of the murder too." + +Jennings sat up and stared. "Great heavens! Mallow, why +didn't you tell me this the other night?" + +"You might have arrested me then and there," retorted +Cuthbert. "I promised my uncle to hold my tongue. But now--" + +"You will tell me all. My dear fellow, make a clean breast of +it." + +"Rest easy, you shall learn everything. You know that the +house at the back of Rose Cottage has been deserted for +something like twenty years more or less." + +"Yes. You told me about it the other night." + +"Caranby ran a fifteen-feet wall round it and the inside is a +regular jungle. Well, the house is supposed to be haunted. +Lights have been seen moving about and strange noises have +been heard." + +"What kind of noises?" + +"Oh, moans and clanking chains and all that sort of thing. I +heard indirectly about this, through Juliet." + +"Where did she hear the report?" + +"From Miss Loach's cook. A woman called Pill. The cook +asserted that the house was haunted, and described the noises +and the lights. I don't believe in spooks myself, and thought +some tricks were being played, so one day I went down and had +a look." + +"That day I was there?" asked Jennings, recalling Cuthbert's +presence. + +"Before that--a week or two. I saw nothing. The house is +rotting and nothing appeared to be disturbed. I examined the +park and found no footmarks. In fact, there wasn't a sign of +anyone about." + +"You should have gone at night when the ghost was larking." + +"That's what Caranby said. I told him when he came back to +London. He was very annoyed. You know his romance about that +house--an absurd thing it is. All the same, Caranby is +tender on the point. I advised him to pull the house down and +let the land out for building leases. He thought he would, +but asked me to go at night and stir up the ghost. I went on +the night of the murder, and got into the grounds by climbing +the wall. There's no gate, you know." + +"At what time?" + +"Some time between ten and eleven. I'm not quite sure." + +"Good heavens! man, that is the very hour the woman was +killed!" + +"Yes. And for that reason I held my tongue; particularly as I +got over the wall near the cottage." + +"Where do you mean?" + +"Well, there's a field of corn nearly ready to be cut near the +cottage. It's divided from the garden by a fence. I came +along the foot-path that leads from the station and jumped the +fence." + +"Did you enter Miss Loach's grounds?" + +"No. I had no right to. I saw a light in the basement, but I +did not take much notice. I was too anxious to find the +ghost. Well, I ran along the fence--on the field-of-corn +side, remember, and got over the wall. Then I dodged through +the park, scratching myself a lot. I could find nothing. The +house seemed quiet enough, so after a quarter of an hour I had +enough of it. I got out over the wall on the other side and +came home. I caught a cold which necessitated my wearing a +great-coat the next day. So there you have my ghost-hunting, +and a fine fool I was to go." + +"I wish you had told me this before, Mallow." + +"If I had, you would have thought I'd killed the old woman. +But I tell you now, as I want this matter sifted to the +bottom. I refused to speak before, as I didn't wish to be +dragged into the case." + +"Did you see anything in the cottage?" + +"Not a thing. I saw no one--I heard no sound." + +"Not even a scream?" + +"Not even a scream," said Mallow; "had I heard anything I +should have gone to see what was the matter." + +"Strange!" murmured Jennings, "can't you tell the exact time?" + +"Not to a minute. It was shortly after ten. I can't say how +many minutes. Perhaps a quarter of an hour. But not +suspecting anything was going to happen, I didn't look at my +watch." + +Jennings looked thoughtfully at the carpet. "I wonder if the +assassin escaped that way," he murmured. + +"Which way?" + +"Over the wall and through the park. You see, he could not +have gone up the lane or through the railway path without +stumbling against that policeman. But he might have slipped +out of the front door at half-past ten and climbed as you did +over the wall to cross the park and drop over the other. In +this way he would elude the police." + +"Perhaps," said Cuthbert disbelievingly; "but it was nearly +eleven when I left the park. If anyone had been at my heels I +would have noticed." + +"I am not so sure of that. The park, as you say, is a kind of +jungle. The man might have seen you and have taken his +precautions. Moreover," added the detective, sitting up +alertly, "he might have written to Miss Saxon saying he saw +you on that night. And she--" + +"Bosh!" interrupted Mallow roughly, "he would give himself +away." + +"Not if the letter was anonymous." + +"Perhaps," said the other again; "but Basil may have been +about the place and have accused me." + +"In that case he must explain his reason for being in the +neighborhood at that hour. But he won't, and you may be sure +Miss Saxon, for his sake, will hold her tongue. No, Mallow. +Someone accuses you to Miss Saxon--Basil or another. If we +could only make her speak--" + +Cuthbert shook his head. "I fear it's impossible." + +"Why not let me arrest you," suggested Jennings, "and then, if +at anytime, she would speak." + +"Hang it, no!" cried Mallow in dismay, "that would be too +realistic, Jennings. I don't want it known that I was hanging +about the place on that night. My explanation might not be +believed. In any case, people would throw mud at me, +considering I am engaged to the niece of the dead woman." + +"Yes! I can see that. Well," Jennings rose and stretched +himself. "I must see what Susan has to say"; he glanced at +his watch; "she should be here in a few minutes." + +A silence ensued which was broken by Jennings. "Oh, by the +way," he said, taking some papers out of his pocket, "I looked +up the Saul case." + +"Well, what about it?" asked Cuthbert indolently + +Jennings referred to his notes. "The Saul family" he said, +"seem to have been a bad lot. There was a mother, a brother +and a daughter--" + +"Emilia!" + +"Just so. They were all coiners. Somewhere in Hampstead they +had a regular factory. Others were mixed up in the matter +also, but Mrs. Saul was the head of the gang. Then Emilia +grew tired of the life--I expect it told on her nerves. She +went on the concert platform and met Caranby. Then she died, +as you know. Afterwards the mother and brother were caught. +They bolted. The mother, I believe, died--it was believed +she was poisoned for having betrayed secrets. The brother +went to jail, got out years afterwards on ticket-of-leave, and +then died also. The rest of the gang were put in jail, but I +can't say what became of them." + +Cuthbert shrugged his shoulders. "This does not help us +much." + +"No. But it shows you what an escape your uncle had from +marrying the woman. I can't understand--" + +"No more can Caranby," said Mallow, smiling; "he loved Miss +Loach, but Emilia exercised a kind of hypnotic influence over +him. However, she is dead, and I can see no connection +between her and this crime." + +"Well," said Jennings soberly, "it appears that some other +person besides the mother gave a clue to the breaking up of +the gang and the whereabouts of the factory. Supposing that +person was Selina Loach, who hated Emilia for having taken +Caranby from her. One of the gang released lately from prison +may have killed the old lady out of revenge." + +"What! after all these years?" + +"Revenge is a passion that grows with years," said Jennings +grimly; "at all events, I intend to go on ferreting out +evidence about this old coining case, particularly as there +are many false coins circulating now. I should not be +surprised to learn that the factory had been set up again; +Miss Loach may have known and--" + +"This is all supposition," cried Mallow. "I can't see the +slightest connection between the coiners and this murder. +Besides, it does not explain why Juliet hints at my being +implicated." + +Jennings did not reply. "There's the bell, too," he murmured, +his eyes on the ground, "that might be explained." He looked +up briskly. "I tell you what, Mallow, this case may turn out +to be a bigger thing than either of us suspect." + +"It's quite big enough for me as it is," retorted Cuthbert, +"although I don't know what you mean. All I desire is to get +to the root of the matter and marry Juliet. Find Miss Loach's +assassin, Jennings, and don't bother about this dead-and-gone +coining case." + +"There's a connection between the two," said Jennings, +obstinately; "it's impossible to say how the connection comes +about, but I feel that a discovery in one case entails a +discovery in the other. If I can prove that Miss Loach was +killed by one of the old coiners--" + +"What will happen then?" + +"I may stumble on the factory that is in existence now." + +He would have gone on to explain himself more fully, but that +Mallow's man entered with the information that a young person +was waiting and asked for Mr. Jennings. Mallow ordered the +servant to admit her, and shortly Susan Grant, nervous and +blushing, entered the room. + +"I am glad to see you," said Jennings, placing a chair for +her. "This is Mr. Mallow. We wish to ask you a few +questions." + +"I have seen Mr. Mallow before," said Susan, gasping and +flushing. + +"At Rose Cottage?" said Mallow inquiringly. + +"No. When I was with Senora Gredos as parlor-maid." + +"Senora Gredos?" said Jennings, before Cuthbert could speak. +"Do you mean Maraquito?" + +"I have heard that her name was Maraquito, sir," said Susan +calmly. "A lame lady and fond of cards. She lives in--" + +"I know where she lives," said Cuthbert, flushing in his turn. +"I went there occasionally to play cards. I never saw you." + +"But I saw you, sir," said the girl fervently. "Often I have +watched you when you thought I wasn't, and--" + +"One moment," said Jennings, interrupting. "Let's us get to +the pith of the matter at once. Where did you get Mr. +Mallow's portrait?" + +"I don't want to say," murmured the girl. + +"But you must say," said Mallow angrily. "I order you to +confess." + +"I kept silent for your sake, sir," she said, her eyes filled +with tears, "but if you must know, I took the portrait from +Senora Gredos' dressing-room when I left her house. And I +left it on your account, sir," she finished defiantly. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE PARLOR-MAID'S STORY + + +On hearing the confession of the girl, both men looked at one +another in amazement. How could Cuthbert's photograph have +come into the possession of Senora Gredos, and why had Susan +Grant stolen it? And again, why did she hint that she had +held her tongue about the matter for the sake of Mallow? +Jennings at once proceeded to get at the truth. While being +examined Susan wept, with an occasional glance at the +bewildered Cuthbert. + +"You were with Maraquito as parlor-maid?" + +"With Senora Gredos? Yes, sir, for six months." + +"Do you know what went on in that house?" + +Susan ceased her sobs and stared. "I don't know what you +mean," she said, looking puzzled. "It was a gay house, I +know; but there was nothing wrong that I ever saw, save that I +don't hold with cards being played on Sunday." + +"And on every other night of the week," muttered Jennings. +"Did you ever hear Senora Gredos called Maraquito?" + +"Sometimes the gentlemen who came to play cards called her by +that name. But she told her maid, who was my friend, that +they were old friends of hers. And I think they were sorry +for poor Senora Gredos, sir," added Miss Grant, naively, "as +she suffered so much with her back. You know, she rarely +moved from her couch. It was always wheeled into the room +where the gambling took place." + +"Ah. You knew that gambling went on," said Jennings, snapping +her up sharply. "Don't you know that is against the law?" + +"No, sir. Do you know?" + +Cuthbert could not restrain a laugh. "That's one for you, +Jennings," said he, nodding, "you often went to the Soho +house." + +"I had my reasons for saying nothing," replied the detective +hastily. "You may be sure I could have ended the matter at +once had I spoken to my chief about it. As it was, I judged +it best to let matters remain as they were, so long as the +house was respectably conducted." + +"I'm sure it was conducted well, sir," said Susan, who +appeared rather indignant. "Senora Gredos was a most +respectable lady." + +"She lived alone always, I believe?" + +"Yes, sir." Then Susan hesitated. "I wonder if she had a +mother?" + +"Why do you wonder?" + +"Well, sir, the lady who came to see Miss Loach--" + +"Mrs. Herne?" + +"I heard her name was Mrs. Herne, but she was as like Senora +Gredos as two peas, save that she was older and had gray +hair." + +"Hum!" said Jennings, pondering. "Did you ever hear Senora +Gredos speak of Mrs. Herne?" + +"Never, sir. But Mrs. Pill--the cook of Miss Loach--said +that Mrs. Herne lived at Hampstead. But she was like my old +mistress. When I opened the door to her I thought she was +Senora Gredos. But then the scent may have made me think +that." + +Jennings looked up sharply. "The scent? What do you mean?" + +"Senora Gredos," explained Susan quietly, "used a very nice +scent--a Japanese scent called Hikui. She used no other, +and I never met any lady who did, save Mrs. Herne." + +"Oh, so Mrs. Herne used it." + +"She did, sir. When I opened the door on that night," Susan +shuddered, "the first thing I knew was the smell of Hikui +making the passage like a hairdresser's shop. I leaned +forward to see if the lady was Senora Gredos, and she turned +her face away. But I caught sight of it, and if she isn't +some relative of my last mistress, may I never eat bread +again." + +"Did Mrs. Herne seem offended when you examined her face?" + +"She gave a kind of start--" + +"At the sight of you," said Jennings quickly. + +"La, no, sir. She never saw me before." + +"I'm not so sure of that," muttered the detective. "Did you +also recognize Mr. Clancy and Mr. Hale as having visited the +Soho house?" + +"No, sir. I never set eyes on them before." + +"But as parlor-maid, you must have opened the door to--" + +"Just a moment, sir," said Susan quickly. "I opened the door +in the day when few people came. After eight the page, +Gibber, took my place. And I hardly ever went upstairs, as +Senora Gredos told me to keep below. One evening I did come +up and saw--" here her eyes rested on Cuthbert with a look +which made him turn crimson. "I wish I had never come up on +that night." + +"See here, my girl," said Mallow irritably, "do you mean to +say--" + +"Hold on, Mallow," interposed Jennings, "let me ask a +question." He turned to Susan, now weeping again with downcast +eyes. "Mr. Mallow's face made an impression on you?" + +"Yes, sir. But then I knew every line of it before." + +"How was that?" + +Susan looked up surprised. "The photograph in Senora Gredos' +dressing-room. I often looked at it, and when I left I could +not bear to leave it behind. It was stealing, I know," cried +Miss Grant tearfully, "and I have been brought up respectably, +but I couldn't help myself." + +By this time Cuthbert was the color of an autumn sunset. He +was a modest young man, and these barefaced confessions made +him wince. He was about to interpose irritably when Jennings +turned on him with a leading question. "Why did you give that +photograph to--" + +"Confound it!" cried Mallow, jumping up, "I did no such thing. +I knew Maraquito only as the keeper of the gambling house. +There was nothing between--" + +"Don't, sir," said Susan, rising in her turn with a flush of +jealousy. "I saw her kissing the photograph." + +"Then she must be crazy," cried Mallow: "I never gave her any +occasion to behave so foolishly. For months I have been +engaged, and--" he here became aware that he was acting +foolishly in talking like this to a love-sick servant, and +turned on his heel abruptly. "I'll go in the next room," said +he, "call me when you wish for my presence, Jennings. I can't +possibly stay and listen to this rubbish," and going out, he +banged the door, thereby bringing a fresh burst of tears from +Susan Grant. Every word he said pierced her heart. + +"Now I've made him cross," she wailed, "and I would lay down +my life for him--that I would." + +"See here, my girl," said Jennings, soothingly and fully +prepared to make use of the girl's infatuation, "it is absurd +your being in love with a gentleman of Mr. Mallow's position." + +Miss Grant tossed her head. "I've read Bow-Bells and the +Family Herald, sir," she said positively, "and many a time +have I read of a governess, which is no more than a servant, +marrying an earl. And that Mr. Mallow isn't, sir." + +"He will be when Lord Caranby dies," said Jennings, hardly +knowing what to say, "and fiction isn't truth. Besides, Mr. +Mallow is engaged." + +"I know, sir--to Miss Saxon. Well," poor Susan sighed, "she +is a sweet young lady. I suppose he loves her." + +"Devotedly. He will be married soon." + +"And she's got Miss Loach's money too," sighed Susan again, +"what a lucky young lady. Handsome looks in a husband and +gold galore. A poor servant like me has to look on and keep +her heart up with the Church Service. But I tell you what, +sir," she added, drying her eyes and apparently becoming +resigned, "if I ain't a lady, Senora Gredos is, and she won't +let Mr. Mallow marry Miss Saxon." + +"But Mr. Mallow is not in love with Senora Gredos." + +"Perhaps not, sir, but she's in love with him. Yes. You may +look and look, Mr. Jennings, but lame as she is and weak in +the back and unable to move from that couch, she loves him. +She had that photograph in her room and kissed it, as it I saw +with my own eyes. I took it the last thing before I went, as +I loved Mr. Mallow too, and I was not going to let that +Spanish lady kiss him even in a picture." + +"Upon my word," murmured Jennings, taken aback by this +vehemence, "it is very strange all this." + +"Oh, yes, you gentlemen don't think a poor girl has a heart. +I couldn't help falling in love, though he never looked my +way. But that Miss Saxon is a sweet, kind, young lady put +upon by her mother, I wouldn't give him up even to her. But I +can see there's no chance for me," wept Susan, "seeing the way +he has gone out, banging the door in a temper, so I'll give +him up. And I'll go now. My heart's broken." + +But Jennings made her sit down again. "Not yet, my girl," he +said firmly, "if you wish to do Mr. Mallow a good turn--" + +"Oh, I'll do that," she interrupted with sparkling eyes, +"after all, he can't help giving his heart elsewhere. It's +just my foolishness to think otherwise. But how can I help +him, sir?" + +"He wants to find out who killed Miss Loach." + +"I can't help him there, sir. I don't know who killed her. +Mrs. Herne and Mr. Clancy and Mr. Hale were all gone, and when +the bell rang she was alone, dead in her chair with them cards +on her lap. Oh," Susan's voice became shrill and hysterical, +"what a horrible sight!" + +"Yes, yes," said Jennings soothingly, "we'll come to that +shortly, my girl. But about this photograph. Was it in +Senora Gredos' dressing-room long?" + +"For about three months, sir. I saw it one morning when I +took up her breakfast and fell in love with the handsome face. +Then Gibber told me the gentleman came to the house sometimes, +and I went up the stairs against orders after eight to watch. +I saw him and found him more good-looking than the photograph. +Often did I watch him and envy Senora Gredos the picture with +them loving words. Sir," said Susan, sitting up stiffly, "if +Mr. Mallow is engaged to Miss Saxon and doesn't love Senora +Gredos, why did he write those words?" + +"He did not write them for her," said Jennings doubtfully, "at +least I don't think so. It is impossible to say how the +photograph came into the possession of that lady." + +"Will you ask him, sir?" + +"Yes, when you are gone. But he won't speak while you are in +the room." + +Susan drooped her head and rose dolefully. "My dream is +gone," she said mournfully, "though I was improving myself in +spelling and figures so that I might go out as a governess and +perhaps meet him in high circles." + +"Ah, that's all Family Herald fiction," said Jennings, not +unkindly. + +"Yes! I know now, sir. My delusions are gone. But I will do +anything I can to help Mr. Mallow and I hope he'll always +think kindly of me." + +"I'm sure he will. By the way, what are you doing now?" + +"I go home to help mother at Stepney, sir, me having no call +to go out to service. I have a happy home, though not +fashionable. And after my heart being crushed I can't go out +again," sighed Susan sadly. + +"Are you sorry to leave Rose Cottage?" + +"No, sir," Susan shuddered, "that dead body with the blood and +the cards will haunt me always. Mrs. Pill, as is going to +marry Thomas Barnes and rent the cottage, wanted me to stay, +but I couldn't." + +Jennings pricked up his ears. "What's that? How can Mrs. +Pill rent so expensive a place." + +"It's by arrangement with Miss Saxon, sir. Mrs. Pill told me +all about it. Miss Saxon wished to sell the place, but Thomas +Barnes spoke to her and said he had saved money while in Miss +Loach's service for twenty years--" + +"Ah," said Jennings thoughtfully, "he was that time in Miss +Loach's service, was he?" + +"Yes, sir. And got good wages. Well, sir, Miss Saxon hearing +he wished to marry the cook and take the cottage and keep +boarders, let him rent it with furniture as it stands. She +and Mrs. Octagon are going back to town, and Mrs. Pill is +going to have the cottage cleaned from cellar to attic before +she marries Thomas and receives the boarder." + +"Oh. So she has a boarder?" + +"Yes, sir. She wouldn't agree to Thomas taking the cottage as +her husband, unless she had a boarder to start with, being +afraid she and Thomas could not pay the rent. So Thomas saw +Mr. Clancy and he is coming to stop. He has taken all the +part where Miss Loach lived, and doesn't want anyone else in +the house, being a quiet man and retired." + +"Ah! Ah! Ah!" said Jennings in three different tones of voice. +"I think Mrs. Pill is very wise. I hope she and Thomas will +do well. By the way, what do you think of Mr. Barnes?" + +Susan did not leave him long in doubt as to her opinion. "I +think he is a stupid fool," she said, "and it's a good thing +Mrs. Pill is going to marry him. He was guided by Miss Loach +all his life, and now she's dead, he goes about like a gaby. +One of those men, sir," explained Susan, "as needs a woman to +look after them. Not like that gentleman," she cast a tender +glance at the door, "who can protect the weakest of my sex." + +Jennings having learned all he could, rose. "Well, Miss +Grant," he said quietly, "I am obliged to you for your frank +speaking. My advice to you is to go home and think no more of +Mr. Mallow. You might as well love the moon. But you know my +address, and should you hear of anything likely to lead you to +suspect who killed Miss Loach, Mr. Mallow will make it worth +your while to come to me with the information." + +"I'll do all I can," said Susan resolutely, "but I won't take +a penny piece, me having my feelings as other and higher +ladies." + +"Just as you please. But Mr. Mallow is about to offer a +reward on behalf of his uncle, Lord Caranby." + +"He that was in love with Miss Loach, sir?" + +"Yes. On account of that old love, Lord Caranby desires to +learn who killed her. And Mr. Mallow also wishes to know, for +a private reason. I expect you will be calling to see Mrs. +Pill?" + +"When she's Mrs. Barnes, I think so, sir. I go to the +wedding, and me and Geraldine are going to be bridesmaids." + +"Then if you hear or see anything likely to lead to a +revelation of the truth, you will remember. By the way, you +don't know how Senora Gredos got that photograph?" + +"No, sir, I do not." + +"And you think Mrs. Herne is Senora Gredos' mother?" + +"Yes, sir, I do." + +"Thank you, that will do for the present. Keep your eyes open +and your mouth closed, and when you hear of anything likely to +interest me, call at the address I gave you." + +"Yes, sir," said Susan, and took her leave, not without +another lingering glance at the door behind which Mallow +waited impatiently. + +When she was gone, Jennings went into the next room to find +Cuthbert smoking. He jumped up when he saw the detective. +"Well, has that silly girl gone?" he asked angrily. + +"Yes, poor soul. You needn't get in a wax, Mallow. The girl +can't help falling in love with you. Poor people have +feelings as well as rich." + +"I know that, but it's ridiculous: especially as I never saw +the girl before, and then I love only Juliet." + +"You are sure of that?" + +"Jennings" + +"There--there, don't get angry. We must get to the bottom +of this affair which is getting more complicated every day. +Did you give that photograph to Senora Gredos?" + +"To Maraquito. No, I didn't. I gave it to Juliet." + +"You are certain?" + +"Positive! I can't make out how it came into Maraquito's +house." + +Jennings pondered. "Perhaps Basil may have given it to her. +It is to his interest on behalf of his mother to make trouble +between you and Miss Saxon. Moreover, if it is as I surmise, +it shows that Mrs. Octagon intended to stop the marriage, if +she could, even before her sister died." + +"Ah! And it shows that the death of Miss Loach gave her a +chance of asserting herself and stopping the marriage." + +"Well, she might have hesitated to do that before, as Miss +Loach might not have left her fortune to Juliet if the +marriage did not take place." + +Cuthbert nodded and spoke musingly: "After all, the old woman +liked me, and I was the nephew of the man who loved her in her +youth. Her heart may have been set on the match, and she +might have threatened to leave her fortune elsewhere if Mrs. +Octagon did not agree. Failing this, Mrs. Octagon, through +Basil, gave that photograph to Maraquito in the hope that +Juliet would ask questions of me--" + +"And if she had asked questions?" asked Jennings quickly. + +Cuthbert looked uncomfortable. "Don't think me a conceited +ass," he said, trying to laugh, "but Maraquito is in love with +me. I stayed away from her house because she became too +attentive. I never told you this, as no man has a right to +reveal a woman's weakness. But, as matters are so serious, it +is right you should know." + +"I am glad I do know. By the way, Cuthbert, what between Miss +Saxon, Susan Grant and Maraquito, you will have a hard time." + +"How absurd!" said Mallow angrily. "Juliet is the only woman +I love and Juliet I intend to marry." + +"Maraquito will prevent your marriage." + +"If she can," scoffed Cuthbert. + +Jennings looked grave. "I am not so sure but what she can +make mischief. There's Mrs. Herne who may or may not be the +mother of this Spanish demon--" + +"Perhaps the demon herself," ventured Mallow. + +"No!" said the detective positively. "Maraquito can't move +from her couch. You know that. However, I shall call on Mrs. +Herne at Hampstead. She was a witness, you know? Keep quiet, +Mallow, and let me make inquiries. Meantime, ask Miss Saxon +when she missed that photograph." + +"Can you see your way now?" + +"I have a slight clue. But it will be a long time before I +learn the truth. There is a lot at the back of that murder, +Mallow." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +ON THE TRACK + + +Professor Le Beau kept a school of dancing in Pimlico, and +incessantly trained pupils for the stage. Many of them had +appeared with more or less success in the ballets at the +Empire and Alhambra, and he was widely known amongst +stage-struck aspirants as charging moderately and teaching in +a most painstaking manner. He thus made an income which, if +not large, was at least secure, and was assisted in the school +by his niece, Peggy Garthorne. She was the manager of his +house and looked after the money, otherwise the little +professor would never have been able to lay aside for the +future. But when the brother of the late Madame Le Beau--an +Englishwoman--died, his sister took charge of the orphan. +Now that Madame herself was dead, Peggy looked after the +professor out of gratitude and love. She was fond of the +excitable little Frenchman, and knew how to manage him to a +nicety. + +It was to the Dancing Academy that Jennings turned his steps a +few days after the interview with Susan. He had been a +constant visitor there for eighteen months and was deeply in +love with Peggy. On a Bank Holiday he had been fortunate +enough to rescue her from a noisy crowd, half-drunk and +indulging in horse-play, and had escorted her home to receive +the profuse thanks of the Professor. The detective was +attracted by the quaint little man, and he called again to +inquire for Peggy. A friendship thus inaugurated ripened into +a deeper feeling, and within nine months Jennings proposed for +the hand of the humble girl. She consented and so did Le +Beau, although he was rather rueful at the thought of losing +his mainstay. But Peggy promised him that she would still +look after him until he retired, and with this promise Le Beau +was content. He was now close on seventy, and could not hope +to teach much longer. But, thanks to Peggy's clever head and +saving habits, he had--as the French say--"plenty of bread +baked" to eat during days of dearth. + +The Academy was situated down a narrow street far removed from +the main thoroughfares. Quiet houses belonging to poor people +stood on either side of this lane--for that it was--and at +the end appeared the Academy, blocking the exit from that +quarter. It stood right in the middle of the street and +turned the lane into a blind alley, but a narrow right-of-way +passed along the side and round to the back where the street +began again under a new name. The position of the place was +quaint, and often it had been intended to remove the +obstruction, but the owner, an eccentric person of great +wealth, had hitherto refused to allow it to be pulled down. +But the owner was now old, and it was expected his heirs would +take away the building and allow the lane to run freely +through to the other street. Still it would last Professor Le +Beau's time, for his heart would have broken had he been +compelled to move. He had taught here for the last thirty +years, and had become part and parcel of the neighborhood. + +Jennings, quietly dressed in blue serge with brown boots and a +bowler hat, turned down the lane and advanced towards the +double door of the Academy, which was surmounted by an +allegorical group of plaster figures designed by Le Beau +himself, and representing Orpheus teaching trees and animals +to dance. The allusion was not complimentary to his pupils, +for if Le Beau figured as Orpheus, what were the animals? +However, the hot-tempered little man refused to change his +allegory and the group remained. Jennings passed under it and +into the building with a smile which the sight of those +figures always evoked. Within, the building on the ground +floor was divided into two rooms--a large hall for the +dancing lessons and a small apartment used indifferently as a +reception-room and an office. Above, on the first story, were +the sitting-room, the dining-room and the kitchen; and on the +third, under a high conical roof, the two bedrooms of the +Professor and Peggy, with an extra one for any stranger who +might remain. Where Margot, the French cook and +maid-of-all-work, slept, was a mystery. So it will be seen +that the accommodation of the house was extremely limited. +However, Le Beau, looked after by Peggy and Margot, who was +devoted to him, was extremely well pleased, and extremely +happy in his light airy French way. + +In the office was Peggy, making up some accounts. She was a +pretty, small maiden of twenty-five, neatly dressed in a clean +print gown, and looking like a dewy daisy. Her eyes were +blue, her hair the color of ripe corn, and her cheeks were of +a delicate rose. There was something pastoral about Peggy, +smacking of meadow lands and milking time. She should have +been a shepherdess looking after her flock rather than a girl +toiling in a dingy office. How such a rural flower ever +sprung up amongst London houses was a mystery Jennings could +not make out. And according to her own tale, Peggy had never +lived in the country. What with the noise of fiddling which +came from the large hall, and the fact of being absorbed in +her work, Peggy never heard the entrance of her lover. +Jennings stole quietly towards her, admiring the pretty +picture she made with a ray of dusky sunlight making glory of +her hair. + +"Who is it?" he asked, putting his hands over her eyes. + +"Oh," cried Peggy, dropping her pen and removing his hands, +"the only man who would dare to take such a liberty with me. +Miles, my darling pig!" and she kissed him, laughing. + +"I don't like the last word, Peggy!" + +"It's Papa Le Beau's favorite word with his pupils," said +Peggy, who always spoke of the dancing-master thus. + +"With the addition of darling?" + +"No, that is an addition of my own. But I can remove it if +you like." + +"I don't like," said Miles, sitting down and pulling her +towards him, "come and talk to me, Pegtop." + +"I won't be called Pegtop, and as to talking, I have far too +much work to do. The lesson will soon be over, and some of +the pupils have to take these accounts home. Then dejeuner +will soon be ready, and you know how Margot hates having her +well-cooked dishes spoilt by waiting. But why are you here +instead of at work?" + +"Hush!" said Miles, laying a finger on her lips. "Papa will +hear you." + +"Not he. Hear the noise his fiddle is making, and he is +scolding the poor little wretches like a game-cock." + +"Does a game-cock scold?" asked Jennings gravely. "I hope he +is not in a bad temper, Peggy. I have come to ask him a few +questions." + +"About your own business?" asked she in a lower tone. + +Jennings nodded. Peggy knew his occupation, but as yet he had +not been able to tell Le Beau. + +The Frenchman cherished all the traditional hatred of his race +for the profession of "mouchard," and would not be able to +understand that a detective was of a higher standing. Miles +was therefore supposed to be a gentleman of independent +fortune, and both he and Peggy decided to inform Le Beau of +the truth when he had retired from business. Meanwhile, Miles +often talked over his business with Peggy, and usually found +her clear way of looking at things of infinite assistance to +him in the sometimes difficult cases which he dealt with. +Peggy knew all about the murder in Crooked Lane, and how Miles +was dealing with the matter. But even she had not been able +to suggest a clue to the assassin, although she was in full +possession of the facts. "It's about this new case I wish to +speak," said Jennings. "By the way, Peggy, you know that +woman Maraquito I have talked of?" + +"Yes. The gambling-house. What of her?" + +"Well, she seems to be implicated in the matter." + +"In what way?" + +Jennings related the episode of the photograph, and the +incident of the same perfume being used by Mrs. Herne and +Maraquito. Peggy nodded. + +"I don't see how the photograph connects her with the case," +she said at length, "but the same perfume certainly is +strange. All the same, the scent maybe fashionable. Hikui! +Hikui! I never heard of it." + +"It is a Japanese perfume, and Maraquito got it from some +foreign admirer. It is strange, as you say." + +"Have you seen Mrs. Herne?" + +"I saw her at the inquest. She gave evidence. But I had no +conversation with her myself." + +"Why don't you look her up? You mentioned you had her +address." + +"I haven't it now," said Jennings gloomily. "I called at the +Hampstead house, and learned that Mrs. Herne had received such +a shock from the death of her friend, Miss Loach, that she had +gone abroad and would not return for an indefinite time. So I +can do nothing in that quarter just now. It is for this +reason that I have come here to ask about Maraquito." + +"From Papa Le Beau," said Peggy, wrinkling her pretty brows. +"What can he know of this woman?" + +"She was a dancer until she had an accident. Le Beau may have +had her through his hands." + +"Maraquito, Maraquito," murmured Peggy, and shook her head. +"No, I do not remember her. How old is she?" + +"About thirty, I think; a fine, handsome woman like a tropical +flower for coloring." + +"Spanish. The name is Spanish." + +"I think that is all the Spanish about her. She talks English +without the least accent. Hush! here is papa." + +It was indeed the little Professor, who rushed into the room +and threw himself, blowing and panting, on the dingy sofa. He +was small and dry, with black eyes and a wrinkled face. He +wore a blonde wig which did not match his yellow complexion, +and was neatly dressed in black, with an old-fashioned +swallow-tail coat of blue. He carried a small fiddle and +spoke volubly without regarding the presence of Miles. + +"Oh, these cochons of English, my dear," he exclaimed to +Peggy, "so steef--so wood-steef in the limbs. Wis 'em I kin +do noozzn', no, not a leetle bit. Zey would make ze angils +swear. Ah, mon Dieu, quel dommage I haf to teach zem." + +"I must see about these accounts," said Peggy, picking up a +sheaf of papers and running out. "Stay to dejeuner, Miles." + +"Eh, mon ami," cried papa, rising. "My excuses, but ze pigs +make me to be mooch enrage. Zey are ze steef dolls on the +Strasburg clock. You are veil--ah, yis--quite veil +cheerup." + +The Professor had picked up a number of English slang words +with which he interlarded his conversation. He meant to be +kind, and indeed liked Miles greatly. In proof of his +recovered temper, he offered the young man a pinch of snuff. +Jennings hated snuff, but to keep Papa Le Beau in a good +temper he accepted the offer and sneezed violently. + +"Professor," he said, when somewhat better, "I have come to +ask you about a lady. A friend of mine has fallen in love +with her, and he thought you might know of her." + +"Eh, wha-a-at, mon cher? I understands nozzin', Ze lady. +Cruel nom?" + +"Maraquito Gredos." + +"Espagnole," murmured Le Beau, shaking his wig. "Non. I do +not know ze name. Dancers of Spain. Ah, yis--I haf had +miny--zey are not steef like ze cochon Englees. Describe ze +looks, mon ami." + +Jennings did so, to the best of his ability, but the old man +still appeared undecided. "But she has been ill for three +years," added Jennings. "She fell and hurt her back, and--" + +"Eh--wha-a-at Celestine!" cried Le Beau excitedly. "She did +fall and hurt hersilf--eh, yis--mos' dredfil. Conceive to +yoursilf, my frien', she slip on orange peels in ze streets +and whacks comes she down. Tree year back--yis--tree +year. Celestine Durand, mon fil." + +Jennings wondered. "But she says she is Spanish." + +Le Beau flipped a pinch of snuff in the air. "Ah, bah! She +no Spain." + +"So she is French," murmured Jennings to himself. + +"Ah, non; by no means," cried the Frenchman unexpectedly. +"She no French. She Englees--yis--I remembers. A ver' +fine and big demoiselle. She wish to come out at de opera. +But she too large--mooch too large. Englees--yis--La +Juive." + +"A Jewess?" cried Jennings in his turn. + +"I swear to you, mon ami. Englees Jewess, mais oui! For ten +months she dance here, tree year gone. Zen zee orange peels +and pouf! I see her no mores. But never dance--no--too +large, une grande demoiselle." + +"Do you know where she came from?" + +"No. I know nozzin' but what I tell you." + +"Did you like her?" + +Le Beau shrugged his shoulders. "I am too old, mon ami. Les +femmes like me not. I haf had mes affairs--ah, yis. +Conceive--" and he rattled out an adventure of his youth +which was more amusing than moral. + +But Jennings paid very little attention to him. He was +thinking that Maraquito-Celestine was a more mysterious woman +than he had thought her. While Jennings was wondering what +use he could make of the information he had received, Le Beau +suddenly flushed crimson. A new thought had occurred to him. +"Do you know zis one--zis Celestine Durand? Tell her I vish +money--" + +"Did she not pay you?" + +Le Beau seized Jennings' arm and shook it violently. "Yis. +Tree pound; quite raight; oh, certainly. But ze four piece of +gold, a louis--non--ze Englees sufferin--" + +"The English sovereign. Yes." + +"It was bad money--ver bad." + +"Have you got it?" asked Jennings, feeling that he was on the +brink of a discovery. + +"Non. I pitch him far off in rages. I know now, Celestine +Durand. I admire her; oh, yis. Fine womans--a viecked eye. +Mais une--no, not zat. Bad, I tell you. If your frien' +love, haf nozzin' wis her. She gif ze bad money, one piece--" +he held up a lean finger, and then, "Aha! ze bell for ze +tables. Allons, marchons. We dine--we eat," and he dashed +out of the room as rapidly as he had entered it. + +But Jennings did not follow him. He scribbled a note to +Peggy, stating that he had to go away on business, and left +the Academy. He felt that it would be impossible to sit down +and talk of trivial things--as he would have to do in the +presence of Le Beau--when he had made such a discovery. The +case was beginning to take shape. "Can Maraquito have +anything to do with the coiners?" he asked himself. "She is +English--a Jewess--Saul is a Jewish name. Can she be of +that family? It seems to me that this case is a bigger one +than I imagine. I wonder what I had better do?" + +It was not easy to say. However, by the time Jennings reached +his home--he had chambers in Duke Street, St. James'--he +decided to see Maraquito. For this purpose he arrayed himself +in accurate evening dress. Senora Gredos thought he was a +mere idler, a man-about-town. Had she known of his real +profession she might not have welcomed him so freely to her +house. Maraquito, for obvious reasons, had no desire to come +into touch with the authorities. + +But it must not be thought that she violated the law in any +very flagrant way. She was too clever for that. Her house +was conducted in a most respectable manner. It was situated +in Golden Square, and was a fine old mansion of the days when +that locality was fashionable. Her servants were all neat and +demure. Maraquito received a few friends every evening for a +quiet game of cards, so on the surface no one could object to +that. But when the doors were closed, high play went on and +well-known people ventured large sums on the chances of +baccarat. Also, people not quite so respectable came, and it +was for that reason Scotland Yard left the house alone. When +any member of the detective staff wished to see anyone of a +shady description, the person could be found at Maraquito's. +Certainly, only the aristocracy of crime came here, and never +a woman. Maraquito did not appear to love her own sex. She +received only gentlemen, and as she was an invalid and +attended constantly by a duenna in the form of a nurse, no one +could say anything. The police knew in an underhand way that +the Soho house was a gambling saloon, but the knowledge had +not come officially, therefore no notice was taken. But +Maraquito's servants suspected nothing, neither did the +gossips of the neighborhood. Senora Gredos was simply looked +upon as an invalid fond of entertaining because of her +weariness in being confined to her couch. + +Jennings had appointed a meeting with Mallow in this +semi-respectable establishment, and looked round when he +entered the room. It was a large apartment, decorated in the +Adams style and furnished as a luxurious drawing-room. At the +side near the window there was a long table covered with green +baize. Round this several gentlemen in evening dress were +standing. Others played games of their own at separate small +tables, but most of them devoted themselves to baccarat. +Maraquito held the bank. Her couch was drawn up against the +wall, and the red silk curtains of the window made a vivid +background to her dark beauty. + +She was, indeed, a handsome woman--so much of her as could +be seen. Half-sitting, half-reclining on her couch, the lower +part of her frame was swathed in eastern stuffs sparkling with +gold threads. She wore a yellow silk dress trimmed about the +shoulders with black lace and glittering with valuable jewels. +Her neck and arms were finely moulded and of a dazzling +whiteness. Her small head was proudly set on her shoulders, +and her magnificent black hair smoothly coiled in lustrous +tresses above her white forehead. Her lips were full and +rich, her eyes large and black, and her nose was thin and +high. The most marked feature of her face were the eyebrows, +which almost met over her nose. She had delicate hands and +beautiful arms which showed themselves to advantage as she +manipulated the cards. From the gorgeous coverlet her bust +rose like a splendid flower, and for an invalid she had a +surprising color. She was indeed, as Jennings had remarked, +like a tropical flower. But there was something sensual and +evil about her exuberance. But not a whisper had been heard +against her reputation. Everyone, sorry for the misfortune +which condemned this lovely woman to a sickbed, treated her +with respect. Maraquito, as some people said, may have been +wicked, but no anchorite could have led, on the face of it, a +more austere life. Her smile was alluring, and she looked +like the Lurline drawing men to destruction. Fortunes had +been lost in that quiet room. + +When Jennings entered, Maraquito was opening a fresh pack of +cards, while the players counted their losses or winnings and +fiddled with the red chips used in the game. On seeing the +newcomer, Senora Gredos gave him a gracious smile, and said +something to the pale, thin woman in black who stood at the +head of her couch. The nurse, or duenna--she served for +both--crossed to Jennings as he advanced towards the buffet, +on which stood glasses and decanters of wine. + +"Madame wishes to know why you have not brought Mr. Mallow." + +"Tell madame that he will be here soon. I have to meet him in +this place," said the detective to the duenna, and watched the +effect of the message on Maraquito. + +Her face flushed, her eyes brightened, but she did not look +again in Jennings' direction. On the contrary, she gave all +her attention to the game which was now in progress, but +Jennings guessed that her thoughts were with Mallow, and +occasionally he caught her looking for his appearance at the +door. "How that woman loves him," he thought, "I wonder I +never noticed it before. Quite an infatuation." For a time +he watched the players staking large amounts, and saw the pile +of gold at Maraquito's elbow steadily increasing. She seemed +to have all the luck. The bank was winning and its opponents +losing, but the play went on steadily for at least half an +hour. At the end of that time a newcomer entered the room. +Jennings, who had glanced at his watch, quite expected to see +Cuthbert. But, to his surprise, he came face to face with +Lord Caranby. + +"I did not expect to see you here," said the detective. + +"I come in place of my nephew. He is unwell," said Caranby; +"present me to Senora Gredos, if you please, Mr. Jennings." + + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +JENNINGS ASKS QUESTIONS + + +"Will you play, Lord Caranby?" asked Maraquito, when the +introduction had been accomplished. + +"Pardon me, not at present: in a little time," said the old +nobleman, with a polite bow and his eyes on the beautiful +face. + +"As you like," she answered carelessly; "everyone who comes +here does just as he pleases. Is your nephew coming?" + +"I fear not. He is unwell." + +Maraquito started. "Unwell. Nothing serious, I hope?" + +"A slight cold." + +"Ah! Everyone has colds just now. Well, Lord Caranby, I hope +to have a conversation with you later when someone else takes +the bank." + +Caranby bowed and moved away slowly, leaning on his cane. +Jennings, who was beside him, threw a glance over his shoulder +at Senora Gredos. + +Maraquito's face was pale, and there was a frightened look in +her eyes. Catching Jennings' inquisitive look she frowned and +again addressed herself to the game. Wondering why Lord +Caranby should produce such an effect, Jennings rejoined him +at the end of the room, where they sat on a sofa and smoked. +"Have you been here before?" asked the detective. + +"No," answered the other, lighting his cigar, "and it is +improbable that I shall come again. My reason for coming--" +he broke off--"I can tell you that later. It is +sufficient to say that it has to do with your conduct of +this case." + +"Hush!" whispered Jennings quickly, "my profession is not +known here." + +"I fear it will be if these two have tongues in their heads." + +The detective glanced towards the door and saw Hale enter with +Clancy at his heels. Jennings had not seen them since the +inquest on the body of Miss Loach, when they had given their +evidence with great grief and frankness. He was annoyed at +meeting them here, for although he had seen them in +Maraquito's salon before, yet at that time they had not known +his profession. But since the inquest the knowledge was +common property, and doubtless they would tell Senora Gredos +if they had not done so already. Jennings' chances of +learning what he wished would therefore be slight, as everyone +is not willing to speak freely before an officer of the law. + +"It can't be helped," said Jennings with a shrug; "and, in any +case, Maraquito is too anxious to stand well with the police +to make any trouble about my coming here." + +Caranby did not reply, but looked steadily at the two men who +were walking slowly up the room. Hale was slender, tall, and +dark in color, with a nose like the beak of an eagle. He was +perfectly dressed and had even an elegant appearance. His age +might have been forty, but in the artificial light he looked +even younger. Clancy, on the other hand, wore his clothes +with the air of a man unaccustomed to evening dress. He was +light in color, with weak blue eyes and a foolish expression +about his slack mouth. Jennings wondered why a man like Hale +should connect himself with such a creature. The men nodded +to Senora Gredos, who took little notice of them, and then +repaired to the buffet. Owing to the position of the +detective and Caranby, the new arrivals did not see them. Nor +for the present was the detective anxious to attract their +notice. Indeed, he would have stolen away unperceived, but +that he wished to question Hale as to the whereabouts of Mrs. +Herne. + +"It is a long time since I have seen you," said Caranby, +removing his eyes from the newcomers, and addressing the +detective; "you were not an--er--an official when we last +met." + +"It is three years ago," said Jennings; "no. I had money +then, but circumstances over which I had no control soon +reduced me to the necessity of earning my living. As all +professions were crowded, I thought I would turn my talents of +observation and deduction to this business." + +"Do you find it lucrative?" + +Jennings smiled and shrugged his shoulders again. "I do very +well," he said, "but I have not yet made a fortune." + +"Ah! And Cuthbert told me you wished to marry." + +"I do. But when my fortune will allow me to marry, I don't +know." + +Caranby, without raising his voice or looking at his +companion, supplied the information. "I can tell you that," +said he, "when you learn who killed Miss Loach." + +"How is that?" + +"On the day you lay your hand on the assassin of that poor +woman I shall give you five thousand pounds." + +Jennings' breath was taken away. "A large sum," he murmured. + +"She was very dear to me at one time," said Caranby with +emotion. "I would have married her but for the machinations +of her sister." + +"Mrs. Octagon?" + +"Yes! She wanted to become my wife. The story is a long +one." + +"Cuthbert told it to me." + +"Quite right," said Caranby, nodding, "I asked him to. It +seems to me that in my romance may be found the motive for the +death of Selina Loach." + +The detective thought over the story. "I don't quite see--" + +"Nor do I. All the same--" Caranby waved his hand and +abruptly changed the subject. "Do you know why I came here +to-night?" + +"No. I did not know you ever came to such places." + +"Nor do I. My life is a quiet one now. I came to see this +woman you call Maraquito." + +"What do you call her?" asked Jennings alertly. + +"Ah, that I can't tell you. But she is no Spaniard." + +"Is she a Jewess by any chance?" + +Caranby turned to look directly at his companion. "You ought +to be able to tell that from her face," he said, "can you not +see the seal of Jacob impressed there--that strange look +which stamps a Hebrew?" + +"No," confessed Jennings, "that is, I can see it now, but I +came here for many a long day before I did guess she was a +Jewess. And then it was only because I learned the truth." + +"How did you learn it?" + +The detective related details of his visit to Monsieur Le Beau +and the discovery that Maraquito Gredos was one and the same +as Celestine Durand. Caranby listened attentively. "Yes, +that is all right," he said, "but her name is Bathsheba Saul." + +"What?" said Jennings, so loud that several people turned to +look. + +"Hush!" said Caranby, sinking his voice, "you attract notice. +Yes, I made Cuthbert describe the appearance of this woman. +His description vaguely suggested Emilia Saul. I came here +to-night to satisfy myself, and I have no doubt but what she +is the niece of Emilia--the daughter of Emilia's brother." + +"Who was connected with the coining gang?" + +"Ah, you heard of that, did you? Exactly. Her father is +dead, I believe, but there sits his daughter. You see in her +the image of Emilia as I loved her twenty years ago." + +"Loved her?" echoed Jennings, significantly. + +"You are right," responded Caranby with a keen look. "I see +Cuthbert has told you all. I never did love Emilia. But she +hypnotized me in some way. She was one of those women who +could make a man do what pleased her. And this Bathsheba-- +Maraquito--Celestine, can do the same. It is a pity she +is an invalid, but on the whole, as she looks rather wicked, +mankind is to be congratulated. Were she able to move about +like an ordinary woman, she would set the world on fire after +the fashion of Cleopatra. You need not mention this." + +"I know how to hold my tongue," said Jennings, rather offended +by the imputation that he was a chatterer, "can I come and see +you to talk over this matter?" + +"By all means. I am at the Avon Hotel." + +"Oh, and by the way, will you allow me to go over that house +of yours at Rexton?" + +"If you like. Are you a ghost-hunter also?" + +"I am a detective!" whispered Jennings quietly, and with such +a look that Caranby became suddenly attentive. + +"Ah! You think you may discover something in that house +likely to lead to the discovery of the assassin." + +"Yes I do. I can't explain my reasons now. The explanation +would take too long. However, I see Senora Gredos is +beckoning to you. I will speak to Hale and Clancy. Would you +mind telling me what she says to you?" + +"A difficult question to answer," said Caranby, rising, "as a +gentleman, I am not in the habit of repeating conversations, +especially with women. Besides, she can have no connection +with this case." + +"On the face of it--no," replied Jennings doubtfully, "but +there is a link--" + +"Ah, you mean that she is Emilia's niece." + +"Not exactly that," answered Jennings, thinking of the +photograph. "I will tell you what I mean when we next meet." + +At this moment, in response to the imperative beckoning of +Maraquito's fan, Caranby was compelled to go to her. The +couch had been wheeled away from the green table, and a +gentleman had taken charge of the bank. Maraquito with her +couch retreated to a quiet corner of the room, and had a small +table placed beside her. Here were served champagne and +cakes, while Lord Caranby, after bowing in his old-fashioned +way, took a seat near the beautiful woman. She gazed +smilingly at Lord Caranby, yet there was a nervous look in her +eyes. + +"I have heard of you from Mr. Mallow," she said flushing. + +"My nephew. He comes here at times. Indeed," said Caranby +gallantly, "it was his report of your beauty that brought me +here to-night." + +Maraquito sighed. "The wreck of a beauty," said she bitterly, +"three years ago indeed--but I met with an accident." + +"So I heard. A piece of orange peel." + +The woman started. "Who told you that?" + +"I heard it indirectly from a professor of dancing. You were +a dancer, I believe?" + +"Scarcely that," said Senora Gredos, nervously playing with +her fan; "I was learning. It was Le Beau who told you?" + +"Indirectly," responded Caranby. + +"I should like to know," said Maraquito deliberately, "who has +taken the trouble to tell you this. My life--the life of a +shattered invalid--can scarcely interest anyone." + +"I really forget to whom I am indebted for the +information," said Lord Caranby mendaciously, "and a lady of +your beauty must always interest men while they have eyes to +see. I have seen ladies like you in Andalusia, but no one so +lovely. Let me see, was it in Andalusia or Jerusalem?" mused +Lord Caranby. + +"I am a Spanish Jewess," said Maraquito, quickly and uneasily, +"I have only been in London five years." + +"And met with an accident a year or two after you arrived," +murmured Caranby; "how very sad." + +Maraquito did not know what to make of the ironical old +gentleman. It seemed to her that he was hostile, but she +could take no offence at what he said. Moreover, as he was +Mallow's uncle, she did not wish to quarrel with him. With a +graceful gesture she indicated a glass of champagne. "Will +you not drink to our better acquaintance?" + +"Certainly," said Caranby without emotion, and sipped a few +drops of the golden-colored wine. "I hope to see much of +you." + +"I reciprocate the hope," said Maraquito radiantly, "and I'll +tell you a secret. I have been consulting specialists, and I +find that in a few months I shall be able to walk as well as +ever I did." + +"Excellent news," said Caranby, "I hope you will." + +"And, moreover," added Maraquito, looking at him from behind +her fan; "I shall then give up this place. I have plenty of +money, and--" + +"You will go back to Spain?" + +"That depends. Should I leave my heart in England--" + +"How I envy the man you leave it with." + +Maraquito looked down moodily. "He doesn't care for my +heart." + +"What a stone he must be. Now I--upon my word I feel +inclined to marry and cut my nephew out of the title." + +"Your nephew," stammered Maraquito, with a flash of her big +eyes. + +"You know him well, he tells me," chatted Caranby garrulously, +"a handsome fellow is Cuthbert. I am sure the lady he is +engaged to thinks as much, and very rightly too." + +"Miss Saxon!" cried Maraquito, breaking her fan and looking +furious. + +"Ah!" said Caranby coolly, "you know her?" + +"I know of her," said Maraquito bitterly. "Her brother Basil +comes here sometimes, and said his sister was engaged to-- +but they will never marry--never!" she said vehemently. + +"How can you tell that?" + +"Because the mother objects to the match." + +"Ah! And who told you so? Mr. Basil Saxon?" + +"Yes. He does not approve of it either." + +"I fear that will make little difference. Mallow is set on +the marriage. He loves Miss Saxon with all his heart." + +Maraquito uttered a low cry of rage, but managed to control +herself with an effort. "Do you?" she asked. + +Caranby shrugged his thin shoulders. "I am neutral. So long +as Cuthbert marries the woman he loves, I do not mind." + +"And what about the woman who loves him?" + +"Miss Saxon? Oh, I am sure--" + +"I don't mean Miss Saxon, and he will never marry her--never. +You know that Mr. Mallow is poor. Miss Saxon has no money--" + +"Pardon me. I hear her aunt, Miss Loach, who was +unfortunately murdered at Rexton, has left her six thousand a +year." + +Senora Gredos turned quite pale and clenched her hands, but +she managed to control herself again with a powerful effort +and masked the rage she felt under a bland, false smile. + +"Oh, that makes a difference," she said calmly. "I hope they +will be happy--if they marry," she added significantly. + +"Oh, that is quite settled," said Caranby. + +"There's many a slip between the cup and the lip," said +Maraquito viciously. "Yonder is Mr. Saxon. Tell him to come +to me." + +Caranby bowed and crossed the room to where Basil was talking +with a frowning face to Hale. "Don't bother me," he was +saying, "it will be all right now that the will has been read." + +"For your own sake I hope it will be all right," replied Hale, +and Caranby caught the words as he came up. After giving his +message, he sauntered round, watching the play, and seemingly +listened to no one. But all the time he kept his ears open to +hear what Hale and Clancy were talking about. + +The two men were in a corner of the room, and Clancy was +expostulating angrily with Hale. They held their peace when +Caranby drifted near them, he saw that they were on their +guard. Looking round, he espied Jennings playing at a side +table, and crossed to him. + +"Permit me to take your place," said Caranby, and added in a +low tone, "watch Hale and Clancy!" + +Jennings seized the idea at once and surrendered the chair to +the old nobleman. Then he lighted a cigarette and by degrees +strolled across the room to where the two were again talking +vigorously. "I tell you if Basil is pressed too hard he +will--" Clancy was saying, but shut his mouth as he saw +Jennings at his elbow. The detective came forward with a smile, +inwardly vexed that he had not been able to hear more. As he +advanced he saw Clancy touch Hale on the arm. + +"How are you?" said Jennings, taking the initiative, "we met +at that inquest, I believe." + +"Yes," said Hale, polite and smiling, "I remember, Mr. +Jennings! I had seen you here before, but I never knew your +calling." + +"I don't tell it to everyone," said Jennings, "How do you do, +Mr. Clancy? I hope you are well. An amusing place this." + +"I need amusement," said Clancy, again assuming his silly +smile, "since the death of my dear friend. By the way, have +you found out who killed her, Mr. Jennings?" + +"No. I fear the assassin will never be discovered." Here the +two men exchanged a glance. "I am engaged on other cases. +There was only one point I wished to learn in connection with +Miss Loach's death." + +"What is that?" asked Hale calmly. + +"Was Mrs. Herne in Miss Loach's bedroom on that night?" + +"I forget," said Clancy before Hale could speak. + +"That's a pity," resumed Jennings. "You see from the fact of +the bell having been sounded, it struck me that the assassin +may have been concealed in the bedroom. Now if Mrs. Herne was +in that room, she might have noticed something." + +"I don't think she did," said Hale hastily. "Mrs. Herne and I +left early, owing to Clancy here having offended her. +Besides, Mrs. Herne told all she knew at the inquest." + +"All save that point." + +"The question was not asked," said Clancy. + +"No. I should like to ask Mrs. Herne now, but it seems she +has gone away from Hampstead." + +"I don't care if she has," grumbled Clancy, "I hated Mrs. +Herne. She was always quarrelling. Did you call to see her?" + +"Yes, but I could not learn where she was. Now, as you are +her lawyer, Mr. Hale, you may know." + +"She is at Brighton," replied Hale readily, "at the +Metropolitan Hotel, but she returns to Hampstead in a week." + +Jennings was secretly astonished at his question being thus +answered, as he was inclined to suspect the men. However, he +took a note of the address, and said he would attend to the +matter. "But, to tell you the truth, it is useless," he said. +"The assassin will never be discovered. Moreover, there is no +reward, and I should only work for no wages. You stay at Rose +Cottage now, I believe, Mr. Clancy?" + +"I do. Mrs. Pill has taken the place. Who told you?" + +"I heard from Susan Grant. She was witness, if you remember. +And has Mrs. Pill married Barnes yet?" + +"I can't say," said Clancy, looking keenly at the detective. +"I am not yet a boarder. I move in after a fortnight. I +expect the marriage will take place before then. Susan Grant +told you that also?" + +"She did. But I don't expect I'll see her again. Well, +gentlemen, I must go away. I hope you will be lucky." + +Jennings moved away and saw from the eager manner in which the +two men began to converse that he was the subject of the +conversation. He looked round for Caranby, but could not see +him. When he was out of the house, however, and on the +pavement lighting a cigarette, he felt a touch on his arm and +found Caranby waiting for him. The old gentleman pointed with +his cane to a brougham! "Get in," he said, "I have been +waiting to see you. There is much to talk about." + +"Maraquito?" asked Jennings eagerly. + +"She has something to do with the matter. Love for Cuthbert +has made her involve herself. How far or in what way I do not +know. And what of Clancy and Hale?" + +"Oh, I have put them off the scent. They think I have given +up the case. But they and Maraquito are connected with the +matter somehow. I can't for the life of me see in what way +though." + +"There is another woman connected with the matter--Mrs. +Octagon." + +"What do you mean?" asked Jennings quickly. + +"I saw her enter Maraquito's house a few moments before you +came down." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +JULIET AT BAY + + +Caranby's reply took away Jennings' breath. The case was one +of surprises, but he was not quite prepared for such an +announcement. He was in the brougham and driving towards the +Avon Hotel with the old nobleman before he found his tongue. + +"What can Mrs. Octagon have to do with Maraquito?" he asked +amazed. + +"Ah! that is the question," replied Caranby, affording no +clue. + +"I did not even know she was acquainted with her." + +"Perhaps she gambles." + +"Even if she did, Maraquito's salon would hardly be the place +she would choose for her amusement. Moreover, Maraquito does +not receive ladies. She has no love for her own sex." + +"What woman has?" murmured Caranby, ironically. Then he added +after a pause, "You know that Mrs. Octagon was present when +Emilia fell from the plank in the Rexton house?" + +"Yes. She gave evidence at the inquest I understand. But +Selina did not, if Cuthbert informed me rightly." + +"Selina was ill in bed. She could not come. Afterwards she +went abroad. I have often wondered," added Caranby, "why +Selina didn't seek me out when death broke my engagement to +Emilia. She loved me, and her father being dead, there would +have been no bar to our marriage. As it was, she threw over +her American and dedicated herself to a hermit's life at +Rexton." + +"You never saw her again?" + +"Never. I started to travel, and came to London only at rare +intervals. I did write to Selina, asking her to see me, but +she always refused, so I became philosophic and took to +celibacy also." + +"Very strange," murmured Jennings, his thoughts elsewhere, +"but this does not explain Mrs. Octagon's visit to the house." + +"I am not so sure of that, if you mean Maraquito's house. +Mrs. Octagon may know, as I do, that Maraquito is the niece of +Emilia." + +"Are you sure of that?" asked the detective eagerly. + +"As sure as I am that she is no Spaniard, nor even a Spanish +Jewess, as she claims to be. She doesn't even know the +language. Her name, to fit a woman, should terminate in a +feminine manner. She should be called Maraquita, not +Maraquito. That little grammatical error doubtless escaped +her notice. But as I was saying, Maraquito--we will still +call her so--may have sent for Mrs. Octagon." + +"Mrs. Octagon, so far as I have seen, is not the woman to obey +such a call," said Jennings grimly. + +"Maraquito may have compelled her to come." + +"For what reason?" + +"Well, you see, Emilia was said by Isabella Loach--Mrs. +Octagon that is--to have fallen from the plank. But Mrs. +Octagon may have pushed her off." + +"May have murdered her in fact." + +"Quite so. Isabella loved me, and was, and is, a very violent +woman. It may be that she pushed Emilia off the plank, and +Maraquito, through her dead father, may have learned the +truth. This would give her a hold over Mrs. Octagon." + +"But Selina may have killed Emilia. That would explain her +hermit life, inexplicable in any other way." + +"No," said Caranby in a shaking voice, "I am sure the woman I +loved would never have behaved in that way. Isabella killed +Emilia--if it was a murder--and then threatened to +denounce Selina unless she gave up the idea of marrying me. +And that," added Caranby, as though struck with a new idea, +"may be the cause why Selina never answered my letter, and +always refused to see or marry me. She may have been--no, I +am sure she was--under the thumb of Isabella. Now that +Selina is dead, Isabella is under the thumb of Maraquito." + +"This is all theory," said Jennings impatiently. + +"We can only theorize in our present state of uncertainty," +was the reply of the nobleman. "But my explanation is a +reasonable one." + +"I do not deny that. But why should Maraquito send for Mrs. +Octagon?" + +"Why?" echoed Caranby in surprise, "in order to stop the +marriage with Cuthbert. Maraquito loves Cuthbert and hates +Juliet. I daresay this is the solution of Mrs. Octagon's +strange behavior since the death. It is Maraquito who is +stopping the marriage by threatening to denounce Mrs. Octagon +for the murder of her aunt. Juliet knows this, and hence her +reticence." + +"It might be so," murmured Jennings, more and more perplexed. +"But Miss Saxon won't be reticent with me. I'll see her +to-morrow." + +"What means will you use to make her speak?" + +"I'll tell her that Cuthbert may be arrested for the crime. +You know he was about the place on the night of the murder." + +"Yes. He went down to look after a possible ghost. But I +hope you will not bring Cuthbert into the matter unless it is +absolutely necessary. I don't want a scandal." + +"Rest easy, Lord Caranby. I have the complete control of this +affair, and I'll only use Cuthbert's presence at Rexton to +make Miss Saxon speak out. But then, she may not be keeping +silence for Cuthbert's sake, as she can't possibly know he was +at Rexton on that night. My own opinion is that she is +shielding her brother." + +"Do you suspect him?" asked Caranby quickly. + +"He may not be guilty of the crime, but he knows something +about it, I am sure." Here Jennings related how Clancy had +said Basil would speak out if pressed too hard. "Now Basil, +for some reason, is in difficulties with Hale, who is a +scoundrel. But Basil knows something which Hale and Clancy +wish to be kept silent. Hale has been using threats to Basil, +and the young man has turned restive. Clancy, who is by no +means such a fool as he looks, warned Hale to-night. +Therefore I take it, that Basil has some information about the +murder. Miss Saxon knows he has, and she is shielding him." + +"But Clancy, Hale and Mrs. Herne were all out of the house +when the woman was stabbed," said Caranby, "they cannot have +anything to do with it." + +"Quite so, on the face of it. But that bell--" Jennings +broke off. "I don't think those three are so innocent as +appears. However, Mrs. Herne is coming back to her Hampstead +house next week; I'll see her and put questions." + +"Which she will not answer," said Caranby drily. "Besides, +you should have put them at the inquest." + +"The case had not developed so far. I had not so much +information as I have now," argued Jennings. + +"Did you examine Mrs. Herne at the inquest?" + +"No; she gave her evidence." Jennings hesitated. "She also +wore a veil when she spoke, and refused to raise it on account +of weak eyes. By the way, do you notice that Maraquito uses a +strong scent?" + +"Yes. Clancy and Hale also use it." + +"Ha!" said Jennings, surprised. "I never knew that. +Decidedly, I am growing stupid. Well, Mrs. Herne uses that +scent also. It is a rare scent." Then Jennings told what +Susan Grant had said. "Now I think there is some significance +in this scent which is connected with the association of +Clancy, Hale, Maraquito and Mrs. Herne." + +"But Mrs. Herne doesn't know Maraquito." + +"I am not so sure of that. Susan Grant thinks she may be +Maraquito's mother, she is so like her in an elderly way. Did +you know this Mrs. Saul?" + +"No. I knew the brother who came to speak to me after the +death of his sister, and who afterwards was put in jail for +coining. His wife I never met. I never even heard of her. +But Maraquito takes after her father in looks and he was like +Emilia." + +"It is a difficult matter to unravel," said Jennings. "I +think Mrs. Herne refused to raise her veil at the inquest so +that the likeness between her and Maraquito might not be +observed. I was there, and if Mrs. Herne is what I say, she +would have been put on her guard by Maraquito. Though to be +sure," added Jennings in a vexed tone, "Maraquito did not know +then, and perhaps does not know now, that I am a detective." + +"Clancy and Hale will enlighten her," said Caranby, as the +vehicle stopped, "will you not come in?" + +"Not to-night. I will do myself the honor of calling on you +later, when I have more to say. At present I am going to sort +out what evidence I have. To-morrow I'll call on Miss Saxon." + +"Call on Mrs. Octagon," were Caranby's parting words, "believe +me, she knows the truth, but I'll tell you one thing. +Maraquito did not kill Miss Loach, for the death of Selina has +given Juliet enough money to marry Cuthbert, independent of +Mrs. Octagon's wishes, and Maraquito would never have brought +that about." + +"Yet all the same Miss Saxon will not marry." + +Caranby made a gesture to show that the matter was beyond his +comprehension, and ascended the steps of the hotel. Jennings, +deep in thought, walked away, wondering how he was to +disentangle the skein which Fate had placed in his hand to +unravel. + +That night the detective surveyed the situation. So far as he +could see, he seemed no further advanced than he had been at +the inquest. Certainly he had accumulated a mass of evidence, +but it threw no light on the case. From Caranby's romance, it +seemed that the dead woman had been connected with the Saul +family. That seemed to link her with Maraquito, who appeared +to be the sole surviving member. In her turn, Maraquito was +connected in some underhand way with Mrs. Octagon, seeing that +the elder woman came by stealth to the Soho house. Mrs. +Octagon was connected with the late Emilia Saul by a crime, if +what Caranby surmised was correct, and her daughter was +forbidden to marry Mallow, who was the nephew of the man who +had been the lover both of Miss Loach and Emilia Saul. Hale +and Clancy were playing some game with Basil Saxon, who was +the son of Mrs. Octagon, and he was associated with Maraquito. +Thus it would seem that all these people were connected in +various ways with the dead woman. But the questions were: Had +one of them struck the fatal blow, and if so, who had been +daring enough to do so? + +"Again," murmured Jennings, "who touched that bell? Not the +assassin, who would scarcely have been fool enough to call +anyone to examine his work before he had time to escape. +Certainly it may have been a woman! Yes! I believe a man +killed Miss Loach, for some reason I have yet to learn, and a +woman, out of jealousy, wishing to get him into the grip of +the law, touched the bell so that witnesses might appear +before the assassin could escape. But who struck the blow?" + +This was a difficult question. It could not have been Basil +Saxon, for he was at the Marlow Theatre on that night with his +sister. Cuthbert had no motive, and Jennings quite believed +his explanation as to his exploration of the park between the +hours of ten and eleven. Hale, Clancy and Mrs. Herne were +all out of the house before the blow had been struck, and, +moreover, there was no reason why they should murder a +harmless old lady. Maraquito confined to her couch could not +possibly have anything to do with the crime. Mrs. Octagon did +hate her sister, but she certainly would not risk killing her. +In fact, Jennings examining into the motives and movements of +those mentioned, could find no clue to the right person. He +began to believe that the crime had been committed by someone +who had not yet appeared--someone whose motive might be +found in the past of the dead woman. Say a member of the Saul +family. + +But Maraquito was the sole surviving member, and on the face +of it was innocent. As yet Jennings did not know whether Mrs. +Herne was her mother, in spite of the resemblance which Susan +claimed to have seen. Also, Caranby said that Maraquito +resembled her father, and the features of the Saul family were +so strongly marked that it was impossible the elder Saul could +have married a woman resembling him. "Though, to be sure, he +might have married a relative," said Jennings, and went to bed +more perplexed than ever. + +Next day, before calling at the "Shrine of the Muses," he went +to Scotland Yard, and there made inquiries about the rumor of +false coins being in circulation. These appeared to be +numerous and were admirably made. Also from France and Russia +and Italy came reports that false money was being scattered +about. The chief of the detective staff possessed these coins +of all sorts, and Jennings was forced to own that they were +admirable imitations. He went away, wondering if this crime +could be connected in any way with the circulation of false +money. "Maraquito is a member of the Saul family, who appear +to have been expert coiners," said Jennings, on his way to +Kensington, "and, according to Le Beau, she gave him a false +sovereign. I wonder if she keeps up the business, and if +Clancy and Hale, together with Mrs. Herne, this supposititious +mother, have to do with the matter. That unfinished house +would make an admirable factory, and the presence of the +ghosts would be accounted for if a gang of coiners was +discovered there. But there is a fifteen-feet wall round the +house, and the park is a regular jungle. Cuthbert examined +the place by day and night and could see nothing suspicious. +I wonder if Miss Loach, living near the place, learned that a +gang was there. If so, it is quite conceivable that she might +have been murdered by one of them. But how the deuce did +anyone enter the house? The door certainly opened at +half-past ten o'clock, either to let someone in or someone +out. But the bell did not sound for half an hour later. Can +there be any outlet to that house, and is it connected with +the unfinished mansion of Lord Caranby, used as a factory?" + +This was all theory, but Jennings could deduce no other +explanation from the evidence he had collected. He determined +to search the unfinished house, since Caranby had given him +permission, and also to make an inspection of Rose Cottage, +though how he was to enter on a plausible excuse he did not +know. But Fate gave him a chance which he was far from +expecting. On arriving at the "Shrine of the Muses" he was +informed that Miss Saxon had gone to Rexton. This was natural +enough, since she owned the cottage, but Jennings was inclined +to suspect Juliet from her refusal to marry Cuthbert or to +explain her reason, and saw something suspicious in all she +did. He therefore took the underground railway at once to +Rexton, and, alighting at the station, went to Crooked Lane +through the by-path, which ran through the small wood of +pines. On looking at the cottage he saw that the windows were +open, that carpets were spread on the lawn, and that the door +was ajar. It seemed that Mrs. Pill was indulging in the +spring cleaning alluded to by Susan Grant. + +At the door Jennings met Mrs. Pill herself, with her arms bare +and a large coarse apron protecting her dress. She was dusty +and untidy and cross. Nor did her temper grow better when she +saw the detective, whom she recognized as having been present +at the inquest. + +"Whyever 'ave you come 'ere, sir?" asked she. "I'm sure there +ain't no more corpses for you to discover." + +"I wish to see Miss Saxon. I was told she was here." + +"Well, she is," admitted Mrs. Pill, placing her red arms +akimbo, "not as I feel bound to tell it, me not being in the +witness-box. She 'ave come to see me about my rent. An' you, +sir?" + +"I wish to speak to Miss Saxon," said Jennings patiently. + +Mrs. Pill rubbed her nose and grumbled. "She's up in the +attics," said she, "lookin' at some dresses left by pore Miss +Loach, and there ain't a room in the 'ouse fit to let you sit +down in, by reason of no chairs being about. 'Ave you come to +tell me who killed mistress?" + +"No! I don't think the assassin will ever be discovered." + +"Ah, well. We're all grass," wailed Mrs. Pill; "but if you +wish to see Miss Saxon, see her you will. Come this way to +the lower room, an' I'll go up to the attics." + +"Let me go, too, and it will save Miss Saxon coming down," +said Jennings, wishing to take Juliet unawares. + +"Ah, now you speaks sense. Legs is legs when stairs are +about, whatever you may say," said Mrs. Pill, leading the way, +"an' you'll excuse me, Mr. Policeman, if I don't stop, me +'avin' a lot of work to do, as Susan's gone and Geraldine with +'er, not to speak of my 'usbin' that is to be, he havin' gone +to see Mrs. Herne, drat her!" + +"Why has he gone to see Mrs. Herne?" asked Jennings quickly. + +"Arsk me another," said the cook querulously, "he's a secret +one is Thomas Barnes, whatever you may say. He comes and he +goes and makes money by 'is doin's, whatever they may be. For +not a word do I 'ear of 'is pranks. I've a good mind to +remain Pill to the end of my days, seein' as he keeps secrets." + +Jennings said no more, but secretly wondered why Thomas had +gone to visit Mrs. Herne. He determined to call on that lady +at once and see if he could learn what message Thomas had +taken her and from whom. But he had not much time for thought +as Mrs. Pill opened a door to the right of a narrow passage +and pushed him in. "An' now I'll go back to my dustin'," said +the cook, hurrying away. + +Jennings found himself face to face with Juliet. She was +standing on a chair with her hand up on the cornice. As soon +as she saw him she came down with rather a white face. The +room was filled with trunks and large deal boxes, and some +were open, revealing clothes. Dust lay thick on others +apparently locked, and untouched for many years. The light +filtered into the dusty attic through a dirty window, and the +floor was strewn with straw and other rubbish. Miss Saxon did +not know the detective and her face resumed its normal color +and expression. + +"Who are you and what do you want?" she asked, casting a +nervous look at the cornice. + +Jennings removed his hat. "I beg your pardon," he said +politely. "Mrs. Pill showed me up here when I asked to see +you." + +"She had no right," said Juliet, looking at her dress, which +was rather dusty, "come downstairs and tell me who you are." + +She appeared anxious to get him out of the room, and walked +before him out of the door. As she passed through Jennings +contrived to shut it as though her dress had caught the lower +part. Then he lightly turned the key. He could hear Juliet +fumbling at the lock. "What is the matter?" she called +through. + +"The lock has got hampered in some way," said Jennings, +rattling the key, "one moment, I'll look at it carefully." + +As he said this he made one bound to the chair upon which she +had been standing and reached his hand to the cornice at which +she had looked. Passing his hand rapidly along it came into +contact with an object long and sharp. He drew it down. It +was a brand-new knife of the sort called bowie. Jennings +started on seeing this object, but having no time to think +(for he did not wish to rouse her suspicions), he slipped the +knife in his vest and ran again to the door. After a lot of +ostentatious fumbling he managed to turn the key again and +open the door. Juliet was flushed and looked at him angrily. +But she cast no second look at the cornice, which showed +Jennings that she did not suspect his ruse. + +"Your dress caught the door and shut it," he explained, "the +lock seems to be out of order." + +"I never knew it was," said Juliet, examining it; "it always +locked easy enough before." + +"Hum," thought Jennings, "so you have been here before and you +have kept the door locked on account of the knife probably," +but he looked smilingly at the girl all the time. + +"I am sorry," he said, when she desisted from her examination. + +"It's my fault," said Juliet unsuspiciously, and closed the +door. She led the way along the passage and down the stairs. +"Who are you?" she asked, turning round half way down. + +"I am a friend of Mallow's," said the detective. + +"I have never met you?" + +"Yet I have been to your house, Miss Saxon. Perhaps my name, +Miles Jennings, may--" + +The girl started with a cry. "You are a detective!" she +gasped. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MRS. OCTAGON EXPLAINS + + +The young girl leaned against the wall, white, and with closed +eyes. Alarmed by her appearance, Jennings would have assisted +her, but she waved him off and staggered down the stairs. By +a powerful effort she managed to subdue her feelings, and when +in the hall turned to him with a sickly smile. "I am glad to +see you," she said. "Mr. Mallow has often spoken to you of +me. You are his friend, I know." + +"His best friend, in spite of the difference in our position." + +"Oh," Juliet waved that objection aside, "I know you are a +gentleman and took up this work merely as a hobby." + +"I fear not," smiled Jennings. "To make money." + +"Not in a very pleasant way. However, as you are Mr. Mallow's +friend, I am glad you have this case in hand," she fixed her +eyes on the detective. "Have you discovered anything?" she +asked anxiously. + +"Nothing much," replied Jennings, who rapidly decided to say +nothing about his discovery of the knife. "I fear the truth +will never be found out, Miss Saxon. I suppose you have no +idea?" + +"I," she said, coloring, "what put such a thing into your +head? I am absolutely ignorant of the truth. Did you come to +ask me about--" + +"That amongst other things," interrupted Jennings, seeing Mrs. +Pill's bulky figure at the door. "Can we not talk in some +quieter place?" + +"Come downstairs," said Juliet, moving, "but the rooms are +unfurnished as Mrs. Pill is cleaning them. The house is quiet +enough." + +"So I see," said the detective, following his companion down +to the basement, "only yourself and Mrs. Pill." + +"And my mother," she answered. "We came here to see about +some business connected with the letting of the cottage. My +mother is lying down in the old part of the house. Do you +wish to see her?" + +"No. I wish to see you." + +By this time they had entered the sitting-room in which the +crime had been committed. The carpets were up, the furniture +had been removed, the walls were bare. Jennings could have +had no better opportunity of seeking for any secret entrance, +the existence of which he suspected by reason of the untimely +sounding of the bell. But everything seemed to be in order. +The floor was of oak, and there was--strangely enough--no +hearth-stone. The French windows opened into the conservatory, +now denuded of its flowers, and stepping into this Jennings +found that the glass roof was entirely closed, save for a +space for ventilation. The assassin could not have entered +or escaped in that way, and there was no exit from the room +save by the door. + +"Would you like to see the bedroom?" asked Juliet +sarcastically. "I see you are examining the place, though I +should have thought you would have done so before." + +"I did at the time," replied Jennings calmly, "but the place +was then full of furniture and the carpets were down. Let me +see the bedroom by all means." + +Juliet led the way into the next room, which was also bare. +There was one window hermetically sealed and with iron +shutters. This looked out on to a kind of well, and light was +reflected from above by means of a sheet of silvered tin. No +one could have got out by the window, and even then, it would +have been difficult to have climbed up the well which led to +the surface of the ground. The floor and walls had no marks +of entrances, and Jennings returned to the sitting-room +completely baffled. Then Juliet spoke again. "I cannot help +wondering what you expect to find," she observed. + +"I thought there might be a secret entrance," said Jennings, +looking at her keenly, "but there seems to be none." + +Miss Saxon appeared genuinely astonished and looked round. "I +never heard of such a thing," she said, puzzled. "And what +would a quiet old lady like my aunt need with a secret +entrance?" + +"Well, you see, the assassin could not have sounded that bell +and have escaped by the front door. Had he done so, he would +have met Susan Grant answering the call. Therefore, he must +have escaped in some other way. The windows of both rooms +are out of the question." + +"Yes. But I understood that the assassin escaped at half-past +ten." + +"According to the evidence it looks like that. But who then +sounded the bell?" + +Juliet shook her head. "I can't say," she said with a sigh. +"The whole case is a mystery to me." + +"You don't know who killed Miss Loach? Please do not look so +indignant, Miss Saxon. I am only doing my duty." + +The girl forced a smile. "I really do not know, nor can I +think what motive the assassin can have had. He must have had +some reason, you know, Mr. Jennings." + +"You say 'he.' Was the assassin then a man?" + +"I suppose so. At the inquest the doctor said that no woman +could have struck such a blow. But I am really ignorant of +all, save what appeared in the papers. I am the worst person +in the world to apply to for information, sir." + +"Perhaps you are, so far as the crime is concerned. But there +is one question I should like to ask you. An impertinent +one." + +"What is it?" demanded the girl, visibly nervous. + +"Why do you refuse to marry Mallow?" + +"That is very impertinent," said Juliet, controlling herself; +"so much so that I refuse to reply." + +"As a gentleman, I take that answer," said Jennings mildly, +"but as a detective I ask again for your reason." + +"I fail to see what my private affairs have to do with the +law." + +Jennings smiled at this answer and thought of the knife which +he had found. A less cautious man would have produced it at +once and have insisted on an explanation. But Jennings wished +to learn to whom the knife belonged before he ventured. He +was sure that it was not the property of Juliet, who had no +need for such a dangerous article, and he was equally sure +that as she was shielding someone, she would acknowledge that +she had bought the weapon. He was treading on egg-shells, and +it behooved him to be cautious. "Very good," he said at +length, "we will pass that question for the present, though as +Mallow's friend I am sorry. Will you tell me to whom you gave +the photograph of Mallow which he presented to you?" + +"How do you know about that?" asked Miss Saxon quickly. "And +why do you ask?" + +"Because I have seen the photograph." + +"That is impossible," she answered coldly; "unless you were in +this house before the death of my aunt." + +"Ah! then it was to Miss Loach you gave it," said Jennings, +wondering how Maraquito had become possessed of it. + +"It was; though I do not recognize your right to ask such a +question, Mr. Jennings. My late aunt was very devoted to Mr. +Mallow and anxious that our marriage should take place. He +gave me the photograph--" + +"With an inscription," put in the detective. + +"Certainly," she rejoined, flushing, "with an inscription +intended for me alone. I was unwilling to part with the +photograph, but my aunt begged so eagerly for it that I could +not refuse it." + +"How did she see it in the first instance?" + +"I brought it to show her after Mr. Mallow gave it to me. May +I ask where you saw it?" + +Jennings looked at her with marked significance. "I saw it in +the house of a woman called Maraquito." + +"And how did it get there?" + +"I can't tell you. Do you know this woman?" + +"I don't even know her name. Who is she?" + +"Her real name is Senora Gredos and she claims to be a Spanish +Jewess. She keeps a kind of gambling salon. To be plain with +you, Miss Saxon, I really did not see the photograph in her +house. But a girl called Susan Grant--" + +"I know. My late aunt's parlor-maid." + +"Well, the photograph was in her box. I found it when the +servants insisted on their boxes being searched. She +confessed that she had taken it from her last mistress, who +was Senora Gredos. As you gave it to Miss Loach, I should be +glad to know how it came into the possession of this woman." + +"I really can't tell you, no more than I can say why Susan +took it. What was her reason?" + +"Mr. Mallow is a handsome man--" began Jennings, when she +stopped him with a gesture. + +"Do you mean to say--no, I'll never believe it." + +"I was not going to say anything against Mallow's character. +But this foolish girl cherished a foolish infatuation for +Mallow. She saw him at Senora Gredos' house--" + +"Ah!" said Juliet, turning pale. "I remember now. Basil +mentioned that Cuthbert gambled, but he did not say where." + +"Mallow gambled a little at Maraquito's, as did your brother. +The only difference is that Mallow could afford to lose and +your brother could not. Are you sure you never heard the name +of Maraquito?" + +"Quite sure," said Juliet, meeting his gaze so calmly that he +saw she was speaking the truth. "Well, I understand how you +got the photograph, but how did this woman get it? I never +heard my aunt mention her, either as Maraquito or as Senora +Gredos." + +"Was your aunt open with you?" + +"Perfectly open. She had nothing in her life to conceal." + +"I am not so sure of that," murmured the detective. "Well, I +cannot say how Maraquito became possessed of this photograph." + +Juliet shrugged her shoulders. "In that case we may dismiss +the matter," she said, wiping her dry lips; "and I can't see +what the photograph has to do with this crime." + +"I can't see it myself, but one never knows." + +"Do you accuse Mr. Mallow?" + +"Supposing I did. I know Mr. Mallow was near this place on +the night of the murder and about the hour." + +Juliet leaned against the wall and turned away her face. "It +is not true. What should bring him there?" + +"He had business connected with the unfinished house at the +back owned by Lord Caranby. But I don't suppose anyone saw +him." + +"How do you know he was here then?" asked Juliet, gray and +agitated. + +"He confessed to me that he had been here. But we can talk of +that later--" + +Juliet interposed. "One moment," she cried, "do you accuse +him?" + +"As yet I accuse no one. I must get more facts together. By +the way, Miss Saxon, will you tell the where you were on that +night?" + +"Certainly," she replied in a muffled voice, "at the Marlow +Theatre with my brother Basil." + +"Quite so. But I don't think the play was to your liking." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Well," said Jennings slowly, and watching the changing color +of her face, "in your house you do not favor melodrama. I +wonder you went to see this one at the Marlow Theatre." + +"The writer is a friend of ours," said Juliet defiantly. + +"In that case, you might have paid him the compliment of +remaining till the fall of the curtain." + +Juliet trembled violently and clung to the wall. "Go on," she +said faintly. + +"You had a box, as I learned from the business manager. But +shortly after eight your brother left the theatre: you +departed after nine." + +"I went to see an old friend in the neighborhood," stammered +Juliet. + +"Ah, and was that neighborhood this one, by any chance? In a +hansom--which I believe you drove away in--one can reach +this place from the Marlow Theatre in a quarter of an hour." + +"I--I--did not come here." + +"Then where did you go?" + +"I decline to say." + +"Where did your brother go?" + +"He did not tell me. Did the manager inform you of anything +else?" + +"He merely told me that you and your brother left the theatre +as I stated. You decline to reveal your movements." + +"I do," said Juliet, clenching her hands and looking pale but +defiant. "My private business can have nothing to do with +you. As you seek to connect me with this case, it is your +business to prove what you say. I refuse to speak." + +"Will your brother refuse?" + +"You had better ask him," said Miss Saxon carelessly, but with +an effort to appear light-hearted. "I don't inquire into my +brother's doings, Mr. Jennings." + +"Yet you heard about his gambling." + +"I don't see what that has to do with the matter in hand. Do +you accuse me and Basil of having killed my aunt?" + +"I accuse no one, as yet," said Jennings, chagrined at her +reticence, "I said that before. Did you not speak with your +aunt on that night?" + +"No," said Juliet positively. "I certainly did not." + +Jennings changed his tactics, and became apparently friendly. +"Well, Miss Saxon, I won't bother you any more. I am sure you +have told me all you know." Juliet winced. "Have you any idea +if the weapon with which the crime was committed has been +discovered?" + +"That is a strange question for a detective to ask." + +"A very necessary one. Well?" + +"I know nothing about it," she said in an almost inaudible +voice. + +"Do you know Mrs. Herne?" + +"I have met her once or twice here." + +"Did you like her?" + +"I can hardly say. I did not take much notice of her. She +appeared to be agreeable, but she was over-dressed and used a +perfume which I disliked." + +"Had you ever met anyone using such a perfume before?" + +"No. It was strong and heavy. Quite a new scent to me. The +odor gave me a headache!" + +"Was Mrs. Herne a great friend of your aunt's?" + +"I believe so. She came here with Mr. Hale and Mr. Clancy to +play." + +"Hale," said Jennings, "I forgot Hale. Does he still retain +your business, Miss Saxon?" + +"No. I have given over the management of my property to our +own lawyer. Mr. Hale was quite willing." + +"Does your brother Basil still make a friend of Mr. Hale?" + +"I don't know," said Juliet, changing color again. "I do not +ask about Basil's doings. I said that before. Hark," she +added, anxious to put an end to the conversation, "my mother +is coming." + +"I should like to see Mrs. Octagon," said Jennings. + +"She will be here in a few minutes. I shall tell her," and +Juliet, without a look, left the room, evidently glad to get +away. + +Jennings frowned and took out the knife at which he looked. +"She knows a good deal about this affair," he murmured. "Who +is she shielding? I suspect her brother. Otherwise she would +not have hidden the knife. I wonder to whom it belongs. Here +are three notches cut in the handle--there is a stain on the +blade--blood, I suppose." + +He got no further in his soliloquy, for Mrs. Octagon swept +into the room in her most impressive manner. She was calm and +cool, and her face wore a smile as she advanced to the +detective. "My dear Mr. Jennings," she said, shaking him +warmly by the hand, "I am so glad to see you, though I really +ought to be angry, seeing you came to my house so often and +never told me what you did." + +"You mightn't have welcomed me had you known," said he dryly. + +"I am above such vulgar prejudices," said Mrs. Octagon, waving +her hand airily, "and I am sure your profession is an arduous +one. When Juliet told me that you were looking into this +tragic death of my poor sister I was delighted. So consoling +to have to do with a gentleman in an unpleasant matter like +this. Why have you come?" + +This last question was put sharply, and Mrs. Octagon fastened +her big black eyes on the calm face of the detective. "Just +to have a look at the house," he said readily, for he was +certain Juliet would not report their conversation to her +mother. + +Mrs. Octagon shrugged her shoulders. "A very nice little +house, though rather commonplace in its decoration; but my +poor sister never did have much taste. Have you discovered +anything likely to lead to the discovery of her assassin?" + +"I am ashamed to say I am quite in the dark," replied +Jennings. "I don't suppose the truth will ever be +discovered." + +The woman appeared relieved, but tried to assume a sad +expression. "Oh, how very dreadful," she said, "she will lie +in her untimely grave, unavenged. Alas! Alas!" + +But Jennings was not mystified by her tragic airs. + +He was certain she knew something and feared lest it should +come to his knowledge. Therefore he resolved to startle her +by a blunt question. "I never knew you were acquainted with +Maraquito!" + +Mrs. Octagon was not at all taken aback. "I don't know such +creatures as a rule," she said calmly. "What makes you think +I do?" + +"I saw you enter her house one night." + +"Last night," said Mrs. Octagon coolly. "Yes. Maraquito, or +Senora Gredos, or whatever she calls herself, told me you had +just gone. I saw her in a little room off the salon where the +play went on." + +The detective was surprised by this ready admission, and at +once became suspicious. It would seem that Mrs. Octagon, +expecting such a question, was uncommonly ready to answer it. +"May I ask why you went to see this woman?" he demanded. + +An innocent woman would have resented this question, but Mrs. +Octagon ostentatiously seized the opportunity to clear +herself, and thereby increased Jennings' suspicions. +"Certainly," she said in an open manner and with a rather +theatrical air, "I went to beg my son's life from this fair +siren." + +"What on earth do you mean?" + +"Basil," said Mrs. Octagon, in her deep, rich voice, "is too +fond of this fair stranger--Spanish, is she not?" + +"She says she is," said the cautious Jennings. + +Mrs. Octagon shot a glance of suspicion at him, but at once +resumed her engaging manner. "The foolish boy loves her," she +went on, clasping her hands and becoming poetical, "his heart +is captured by her starry eyes and he would wed her for her +loveliness. But I can't have that sort of thing," she added, +becoming prosaic, "so I went and told her I would denounce her +gambling salon to the police if she did not surrender my son. +She has done so, and I am happy. Ah, Mr. Jennings, had you a +mother's heart," she laid her hand on her own, "you would know +to what lengths it will lead a woman!" + +"I am glad your son is safe," said Jennings, with apparent +cordiality, though he wondered how much of this was true. +"Maraquito is not a good wife for him. Besides, she is a +cripple." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Octagon tragically, "she is a cripple." + +Something in the tone of her voice made Jennings look up and +created a new suspicion in his heart. However, he said no +more, having learned as much as was possible from this tricky +woman. "I must go now," he said, "I have examined the house." + +Mrs. Octagon led the way upstairs. "And have you any clue?" + +"None! None! I wish you could assist me." + +"I?" she exclaimed indignantly, "no, my sister and I were not +friends, and I will have nothing to do with the matter. +Good-day," and Mrs. Octagon sailed away, after ushering the +detective out of the door. + +Jennings departed, wondering at this change of front. As he +passed through the gate a fair, stupid-looking man entered. +He nodded to Jennings, touching his hat, and at the same time +a strong perfume saluted the detective's nostrils. "Thomas +Barnes uses Hikui also," murmured Jennings, walking away. +"Humph! Is he a member of the gang?" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A DANGEROUS ADMISSION + + +Jennings had once witnessed a drama by Victorien Sardou, +entitled--in the English version--Diplomacy. Therein a +woman was unmasked by means of a scent. It seemed to him that +perfume also played a part in this case. Why should Clancy, +Mrs. Herne, Hale, Maraquito and Thomas use a special odor? "I +wonder if they meet in the dark?" thought the detective, "and +recognize each other by the scent. It seems very improbable, +yet I can't see why they use it otherwise. That women should +use perfumes, even the same perfume, is right enough. They +love that sort of thing, but why should men do so, especially +a man in the position of Thomas? I'll follow up this clue, if +clue it is!" + +The conversation with Juliet convinced Jennings that she knew +of something connected with the matter, but was determined to +hold her tongue. The fact that this knife was in her +possession showed that she was aware of some fact likely to +lead to the detection of the assassin. She might have found +it when she came after the death to Rose Cottage, but in that +case, had she nothing to conceal, she would have shown it to +the police. Instead of this, she hid it in the attic. +Jennings congratulated himself on his dexterity in securing +this piece of evidence. There was no doubt in his mind that +this was the very knife with which Miss Loach had been +stabbed. + +"And by a man," thought Jennings. "No woman would have such a +weapon in her possession; and if she bought one to accomplish +a crime, she would purchase a stiletto or a pistol. It would +take a considerable exercise of muscle to drive this heavy +knife home." + +Jennings considered that the only person who could make Juliet +speak was Cuthbert. It was true that she already had declined +to make a confidant of him, but now, when there was a chance +of his being arrested--as Jennings had hinted--she might +be inclined to confess all, especially if it was Cuthbert she +was shielding. But the detective fancied her brother might be +the culprit. On the night of the murder, both had left the +Marlow Theatre, which was near Rexton, and Juliet declined to +say where they went. It might be that both had been on the +spot about the time of the commission of the crime. Again, +unless Miss Loach had admitted her assailant, he must have had +a latch-key to let himself in. From the fact that the poor +woman had been found with the cards on her lap in the same +position in which Susan had left her, Jennings was inclined to +think that the assassin had struck the blow at once, and then +had left the house at the half hour. But how had he entered? +There did not appear to be any secret entrance, and no one +could enter by the windows; nor by the door either without a +latch-key. The further Jennings examined into the matter, the +more he was puzzled. Never had he undertaken so difficult a +case. But the very difficulty made him the more resolute to +unravel the mystery. + +For two or three days he went about, asking for information +concerning the coining, and reading up details in old +newspapers about the exploits of the Saul family. Also, he +went occasionally to the salon of Senora Gredos. There he +constantly met Hale and Clancy. Also Basil came at times. +That young man now adopted a somewhat insolent demeanor +towards the pair, which showed that he was now out of their +clutches and no longer had cause to fear them. Jennings felt +sure that Basil could explain much, and he half determined to +get a warrant out for his arrest in the hope that fear might +make him confess. But, unfortunately, he had not sufficient +information to procure such a thing, and was obliged to +content himself with keeping a watch on young Saxon. But the +man sent to spy reported nothing suspicious about Basil's +doings. + +In this perplexity of mind Jennings thought he would see +Cuthbert and relate what he had discovered. Also he hoped +that Mallow might interview Juliet and learn the truth from +her. But an inquiry at Mallow's rooms showed that he had gone +out of town for a few days with his uncle, and would not be +back for another two. Pending this return, Jennings sorted +his evidence. + +Then he was surprised to receive a letter from Mrs. Herne, +stating that she had returned to her place at Hampstead, and +asking him to call. "I understand from Mr. Clancy," wrote +Mrs. Herne, "that you wish to see me in connection with the +death of my poor friend. I shall beat home to-morrow at +four." Then followed the signature, and Jennings put away the +note with a rather disappointed feeling. If he was right in +suspecting Mrs. Herne, she certainly felt little fear, else +she would have declined to see him. After all, his +supposition that the two women and the four men formed a gang +of coiners, who worked in the unfinished house, might turn out +to be wrong. "But I'll see Mrs. Herne and have a long talk +with her," said Jennings to himself. "And then I'll show the +knife to Cuthbert Mallow. Also I may examine the unfinished +house. If coiners have been there, or are there, I'll soon +find out. Mallow hunting for ghosts, probably, made only a +cursory examination. And I'll take Drudge to Hampstead with +me." + +Drudge was a detective who adored Jennings and thought him the +very greatest man in England. He was usually employed in +watching those whom his superior suspected, and Jennings could +always rely on his orders being honestly executed. In this +instance Drudge was to wait some distance from the house of +Mrs. Herne until Jennings came out again. Then on the +conversation which had taken place would depend further +orders. The man was silent and lean, with a pair of sad eyes. +He followed Jennings like a dog and never spoke unless he was +required to answer a question. + +Mrs. Herne did not possess a house of her own, which struck +the detective as strange, considering she appeared to be a +wealthy woman. She always wore costly dresses and much +jewellery, yet she was content with two rooms, one to sit in +and the other to sleep in. Certainly the sitting-room (which +was all Jennings saw) was well furnished, and she apparently +thoroughly appreciated the luxuries of life. There was a +bow-window which commanded a fine prospect of the Heath, and +here Mrs. Herne was seated. The blinds were half-way down, so +that the brilliant sunlight could not penetrate into the +somewhat dusky room. When the detective entered Mrs. Herne +excused the semi-darkness. "But my eyes are somewhat weak," +she said, motioning him to a seat. "However, if you wish for +more light--" she laid her hand on the blind-cord. + +"Not on my account," said Jennings, who did not wish to appear +unduly suspicious. "I am quite satisfied." + +"Very well, then," replied Mrs. Herne, resuming her seat and +crossing her delicate hands on her lap. "We can talk. I am +at your orders." + +She was arrayed in a blue silk dress of a somewhat vivid hue, +but softened with black lace. She had a brooch of diamonds at +her throat, a diamond necklace round it, bracelets set with +the same gems and many costly rings. Such a mass of jewelry +looked rather out of place in the daylight, but the twilight +of the room made the glitter less pronounced. Jennings +thought that Mrs. Herne must have Jewish blood in her veins, +seeing she was so fond of gems. Certainly she was very like +Maraquito, even to having eyebrows almost meeting over her +thin high nose. But these, as was her hair, were gray, and +her skin lacked the rich coloring of the younger woman. +Jennings rapidly took in the resemblance, and commenced the +conversation, more convinced than ever that there was some +bond of blood between Mrs. Herne and Senora Gredos. This +belief helped him not a little. + +"I daresay Mr. Clancy told you why I wished to see you?" + +Mrs. Herne nodded in a stately way. "Yes. You wish to know +if I was in the bedroom of my friend on that evening. Well, I +was. I went in for a few minutes to take off my cloak and +hat, and then I went in again to resume them." + +"Did you see anyone in the room?" + +"No. Had there been anyone I should certainly have seen the +person. But there is no place where anyone could hide." + +"Not even a cupboard?" + +"There was a wardrobe, for Miss Loach disliked cupboards, as +she thought clothes did not get sufficiently aired in them. A +wardrobe, and of course anyone might have hid under the bed, +but I did not look. And I don't think," added Mrs. Herne, +examining her rings, "that anyone was about. Miss Loach was +always very suspicious, and searched the house regularly." + +"Did she, then, anticipate anyone hiding--a burglar, for +instance?" + +"Yes, I think she did. Her nature was warped from certain +events which happened in her early life, and she suspected +everyone." + +"Was she on bad terms with anyone?" + +"No. She never quarrelled. I am the quarrelsome person," +said the lady, smiling. "I quarrelled with Mr. Clancy, who is +a rude man. But we have made it up since, as he has +apologized. It was Mr. Clancy who told me of your wish to see +me. Do you want to ask anything else?" + +"If you do not mind." + +"On the contrary, I am anxious to afford you all the +information in my power. Nothing would give me more +satisfaction than to see the murderer of my dear friend +brought to justice." + +She spoke with great feeling, and there was an unmistakable +ring of truth about her speech. Jennings began to think he +must be wrong in suspecting her to have anything to do with +the death. All the same, he was on his guard. It would not +do to let Mrs. Herne, clever as she was, pull wool over his +eyes. "Have you any idea who killed Miss Loach?" he asked. + +"No. She was quite well on that evening, and did not +anticipate death in any way--least of all in a violent form. +Mr. Hale, Mr. Clancy and myself would have been with her till +nearly midnight had I not quarrelled with Mr. Clancy. As it +was, Mr. Hale escorted me home about half-past nine, and I +understand Mr. Clancy left about ten. When Miss Loach was not +playing whist or bridge she never cared about having anyone in +her house. She was rather a misanthrope." + +"Did she expect anyone that evening?" + +"No. At all events, she said nothing about expecting anyone." + +"Did she expect her nephew?" + +"Mr. Basil Saxon?" said Mrs. Herne, looking surprised. "Not +that I am aware of. She did not mention his name. To be +sure, they were on bad terms, and she had forbidden him the +house. No, I do not think she expected him." + +"Do you know the cause of the quarrel?" + +"It had something to do with money. I believe Miss Loach +helped Mr. Saxon, who was rather extravagant, but she grew +weary of his demands and refused to help him further. He lost +his temper and said things which forced her to order him out +of the house." + +"Did he utter any threats?" + +"Miss Loach never said that he did. Mr. Jennings," remarked +the old lady, bending her brows, "is it possible you suspect +that young man?" + +"No. I suspect no one at present. But I am bound to make +inquiries in every direction, and of course, if Mr. Saxon is +of a passionate temper, he might wish to avenge himself for +being forbidden the house." + +"He has a temper," said Mrs. Herne, thoughtfully, "but I never +saw it exhibited, though I met him once at Miss Loach's. She +said he had a lot of bad blood in him, but that may have been +because she hated her sister, Isabella Octagon." + +"Did she hate her?" + +"Yes. And I think she had cause. Mrs. Octagon behaved very +badly in connection with some romantic episode of the past." + +"I fancy I know about that," said Jennings quickly, then +added, "You are fond of perfumes?" + +"What a strange question," laughed Mrs. Herne. "Yes, I am. +Do you like this scent. It is called Hikui, and was given to +me by a dear friend who received it from a Japanese attache." + +"From a friend or relative?" + +Mrs. Herne frowned. "What do you mean by that?" + +Jennings shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, nothing. Only you are +very like a lady called Senora Gredos." + +"Maraquito," said Mrs. Herne unexpectedly. "Of course I am. +Her father was my brother." + +"You are then her aunt?" + +"Naturally. But the fact is, I do not proclaim the +relationship, as I do not approve of Maraquito's gambling. Of +course the poor thing is confined to her couch and must have +something to amuse her. All the same, gambling on a large +scale is against my principles. But, if asked, I do not +disown the relationship. Now you understand why I am like +Maraquito." + +"I understand," hesitated Jennings, "you belong to a Spanish +family?" + +"Spanish Jews. I am a Jewess, so is Maraquito." + +"Do you speak Spanish?" + +"Yes. Do you wish to speak it with me?" + +"Unfortunately I do not know the language," said Jennings, +profoundly regretting the fact. "And your niece?" + +"She does not speak it. She was brought up in England." + +"In that case she should ask you if her name is masculine or +feminine, Mrs. Herne?" + +The old lady started. "I should like to know what you mean?" + +"Senora Gredos' Christian name should be Maraquita, not +Maraquito!" + +"Really. I never gave the matter a thought. I will tell her +about it if you like. I said she did not speak Spanish! She +has led a strange life. At one time she wished to dance and +took the name of Celestine Durand. She was taught by a +professor of dancing called Le Beau, who lives in Pimlico, but +while learning she slipped in the street and became the wreck +you see her." + +Certainly Mrs. Herne was very frank, and spoke the truth, as +all this bore out the statements of Le Beau and Lord Caranby. +"Her maiden name was Saul, I believe," said Jennings, thinking +Mrs. Herne would deny this promptly. + +To his astonishment she did nothing of the sort. "My maiden +name is Saul," she said gravely. "But as Maraquito is the +daughter of my unfortunate brother, her true name is the same-- +not her maiden name, you understand. I do not know how you +learned this, but--" + +"Lord Caranby paid a visit to Maraquito's salon and recognized +that she was a Saul from her likeness to Emilia, with whom--" + +"With whom he was in love," finished Mrs. Herne, crossing her +hands; "that painful story is well known to me. Emilia was my +sister." + +"Lord Caranby never told me she had one," said Jennings. + +"Lord Caranby does not know the history of our family." + +"Save what appeared in the papers," put in the detective. + +Mrs. Herne flushed through her sallow skin. "It is not well +bred of you to refer to the misfortunes of my family," she +said; "my mother and brother were unlucky. They were innocent +of this charge of coining, brought against them by an enemy." + +"The evidence was very plain, Mrs. Herne." + +"Ah!" she flashed out, "you have been looking up the case. +Why?" + +"From what Lord Caranby said--" + +"He has no right to say anything," cried Mrs. Herne, rising +and speaking vehemently; "he loved my sister, and she lost her +life at that dreadful house. I was abroad at the time, and +had only just married. My husband was a jeweller. We cut +ourselves off from the family when the misfortune came. Only +of late years did I recognize Maraquito when she came to me +for assistance. Her father died and she had no money. I +helped her to pay for her dancing--" + +"Oh," said Jennings, recalling the false money, "you paid." + +"Have you anything to say on that point?" she asked haughtily. + +"No! No! I merely congratulate you on your generosity." + +"I could not allow my own niece to starve. I helped her, and +then she met with the accident. After that--" + +"You assisted her to start this gambling-house." + +"By no means. Mr. Hale found the money for that. He is in +love with Maraquito. But you can understand why I do not +proclaim my relationship with her. The past of our family is +too painful. I became acquainted with Miss Loach through Mrs. +Octagon--she was then the wife of Mr. Saxon--when I went +to inquire into my sister's death. I liked Miss Loach and +frequently went to see her. Now that she is dead I shall +leave England. I have arranged to do so next week, and you +will not see me here again. That is why I gave you this +chance of making inquiries." + +"I am much obliged," said Jennings quite believing her story, +since she told it so earnestly: "but does Maraquito love +Hale?" + +"No. She loves Mr. Mallow, Lord Caranby's nephew." + +"She has a rival in Miss Saxon," said the detective. + +Mrs. Herne turned red. "My niece fears no rival," she said +haughtily. "Miss Saxon shall never be the wife of Mr. +Mallow." + +Jennings shrugged his shoulders. "I do not see how she can +stop the affair." + +"Oh yes, she can. The mother is on her side." + +"Ah! I thought there was some work of that kind." + +"Hear me!" cried Mrs. Herne, imposing silence with a gesture. +"Basil Saxon is in love with Maraquito and she can twist the +poor fool round her finger. She agrees to send him away if +Mrs. Octagon stops this most absurd marriage." + +"Which she has done." + +"And which she will continue to do," said Mrs. Herne +decisively; "the mother does not wish Basil to marry my niece, +though she is quite as good as they if not better." + +"Well," drawled Jennings, rising, "I now know why Mrs. Octagon +has acted in this way. There's no more to be said." + +"Are there any further questions you wish to ask me? Remember +I go abroad forever next week. You will never see me again." + +"I think I have asked you everything. By the why," Jennings +balanced his hat between two forefingers, "I suppose your +niece's complaint is incurable?" + +"She thought so until lately. But she has consulted a +specialist, who tells her she will walk again in a few +months." + +"Then I suppose since she has made money through Hale's +gambling-house she will marry him out of gratitude." + +"She will marry Mallow," said Mrs. Herne, closing her mouth +firmly. + +"Lord Caranby may object." + +"His objections will be overcome," she replied, with a crafty +smile. + +"In what way? I am not curious, but--" + +"I have my own opinion of that, Mr. Jennings." + +"Well, I should like to know how the obstinate objections of a +firm old man like Caranby are to be overcome." + +"Ah, now you wish to know too much," said Mrs. Herne, laughing +and moving towards the center of the room. "I refuse to tell +you that. But if you are friendly with Miss Saxon, tell her +to give up Mr. Mallow. Otherwise--" + +"Otherwise," echoed Jennings, curious to know why she paused. + +"She will lose what is dearest to her." + +"Humph! I wonder what that can be. Had you not better +threaten Miss Saxon personally, Mrs. Herne?" + +"I have no need to, Maraquito will do that. With my niece as +an enemy, Miss Saxon has no chance of gaining the prize she +desires." + +"But you reckon without the feelings of Mr. Mallow. He loves--" + +"He does not--he does not!" cried Mrs. Herne, pressing one +hand to her heart and speaking fiercely; "he loves Maraquito. +And is she not worthy to be loved? Is she--go--go." Mrs. +Herne waved her hand. "I have told you everything you asked, +and more. Should you require further information about +Maraquito's love, I refer you to herself." + +"Oh, I am not interested enough in the matter to ask her," +said the detective, and bowing to the lady who had sunk on the +sofa, took his departure. A strange idea occurred to him, +suggested by the agitation of Mrs. Herne. + +When he met Drudge, who was partaking of a glass of gin, he +gave him instructions to watch the Hampstead house and follow +Mrs. Herne when she came out. Then having posted his spy-- +for Drudge was nothing else--Jennings hurried back to town. +That same evening he sent a wire to Cuthbert to the address +given by the servant, asking him to come up to town next +morning. + +At eleven Jennings presented himself and found Cuthbert +waiting for him, rather surprised and agitated. "Why did you +wire me in so peremptory a manner?" asked Mallow; "have you +discovered anything?" + +"Yes! I am sorry to break your holiday. By the way, you have +been at Brighton. Did you stop at the Metropolitan?" + +"Yes. I and Uncle Caranby have been there for a few days." + +"Did you see Mrs. Herne there?" + +"No. Why do you ask?" + +"For a reason I'll tell you later." Jennings glanced round +the room and his eyes became fixed on a trophy of arms. "You +are fond of these sort of things?" he demanded. + +"Yes, in a way. Yonder are war-spears, revolvers, swords, and--" + +"I see--I see. Here is an empty space. What was here?" + +"By Jove, I never noticed that before. I forget!" + +"Perhaps this will supply the gap," said Jennings, and held +out the knife. "Do you recognize this?" + +"Certainly. There are three notches in the handle. It is my +knife. Did you take it off the wall?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +JULIET'S STORY + + +Instead of answering, Jennings looked at Mallow. "It was the +merest chance I glanced at the wall and saw that one of the +arms which form that trophy was missing. It was also a chance +that I suggested the blank space might be filled up with this +knife. Are you sure it is your property?" + +Mallow with a puzzled expression took the weapon in his hand +and examined it closely. "It is mine," he admitted, "on the +butts of my revolvers you will find I carve these notches. I +also did so on this bowie, which I bought in New York when I +went on my last big-game shoot to the Rockies. I marked my +things in this way so that the other fellows should not use +them by mistake. I brought back this knife, and although it +is not a pretty ornament, I fixed it up on the wall yonder. I +used it to cut up game. But if you did not take it off the +wall--and I confess I never missed it until you drew my +attention to the fact that it was missing--where did you get +it?" + +Jennings scarcely knew what to say. Cuthbert talked of the +matter in so easy a manner that it was impossible to think he +had killed Miss Loach. Also he was not the sort of man to +murder an inoffensive old woman, the more especially as he-- +on the face of it--had no motive to commit so brutal an act, +or to jeopardize his neck. Struck by his friend's silence, +Mallow looked up suddenly. Whether he read the truth in +Jennings' eyes or the recollection of Jennings' profession +brought the Crooked Lane crime into his mind, it is impossible +to say. But he suddenly grew pale and dropped the knife with +a look of abhorrence. + +"Yes," said Jennings, in reply to his mute inquiry, "that is +the knife that was used to stab Miss Loach." + +"This knife?" said Mallow, with a gasp, "but how the dickens," +he used a stronger word, "did my knife come to be used in that +way?" + +"I should like you to explain that," said the detective icily. + +"Good heavens, Jennings, you don't think--" + +"What am I to think," said Jennings coldly, "I swear I never +suspected you, Mallow. To own the truth, I don't suspect you +now, but for your own sake--for your own safety, explain how +that knife came to be in Miss Loach's house." + +"I can't say," cried Cuthbert, vehemently, "really I can't. I +swear I never missed it until you drew my attention to the +blank left in the trophy of arms yonder." He flung himself +into a seat, and passed his hand through his hair with a +bewildered air. "Surely, Jennings, you do not think me guilty +of killing that poor wretch?" + +Jennings stretched out his hand, which Mallow grasped. "There +is my answer," said the detective, "of course I don't suspect +you. The mere fact that you own the knife is yours shows me +that you are innocent. But the fact that this particular +weapon was used reveals to me the strange behavior of Miss +Saxon--her motive, I mean." + +Cuthbert jumped up. "What has Juliet to do with this?" he +asked. + +"I went to see her," explained Jennings rapidly, "and was shown +up to the attic of Rose Cottage by Mrs. Pill. Miss Saxon +was standing on a chair with her hand on the cornice. I +managed to place my hand in the same place--it matters not +how--and there I found that." + +"This knife?" Cuthbert, still bewildered, took up the +formidable weapon. "But how did she become possessed of it?" + +"You must ask her that." + +"I? Why did you not ask her yourself?" + +"She would have lied to me--for your sake." + +"For my sake? Do you mean to say she thinks I am guilty?" + +"Yes, I do," said Jennings decisively. + +"It's an infernal lie! I don't believe Juliet would think me +such a blackguard unless she did not love me--and she does +love me." + +"Of course," interposed Jennings swiftly, "so much so that she +has concealed this knife so as to--as she thinks--save +you. Now, can you not see why she asked you to proceed no +further in the case for your--own sake. I thought she was +shielding her brother. It is you she believes guilty--" + +"And therefore will not marry me?" + +"No. I don't think for one moment she cares about that. When +a woman loves a man she will stick to him through thick and +thin. If he is a regular Cain, she will marry him. Bless the +whole sex, they are the staunchest of friends when they love. +No, Mallow, in some way Mrs. Octagon has learned that you have +killed her--" + +"But I never did--I never did. I told you everything." + +"What you told me may have been told to Mrs. Octagon with +additions. She thinks you guilty, and therefore has +threatened to denounce you unless Juliet gives you up. She +has done so, therefore Mrs. Octagon holds her bitter tongue." + +"But her reason for wishing to break off the marriage." + +"We discussed that before. In the first place, you are +Caranby's nephew and she hates him. In the second, she and +Basil want the fingering of the six thousand a year left by +Miss Loach. Should you marry Miss Saxon, they know well you +will look after her interests, therefore they don't wish the +match to take place. I am not quite sure if this is Basil's +plan, or if he knows so much, but I am quite certain that the +scheme is of Mrs. Octagon's concoction. But now you can see +why Miss Saxon behaved so strangely." + +"She has no right to take up such a position," cried Cuthbert, +with a fierce look. "She should have been plain with me and +have accused me to my face." + +"Do you think a woman cares to accuse the man she loves? +Besides, Mrs. Octagon may have forced her to keep silence, so +as to make the matter more difficult for you. The only way in +which you can clear up matters is to see Miss Saxon and insist +on an explanation." + +"And if she won't give it?" + +"I think she will this time," said Jennings with a grim smile. +"By now she must have discovered her loss, and she knows well +enough that the knife is in my possession. Already she knows +that I threatened to arrest you--" + +"But you would never do that." + +"I would if it meant the clearing of your character. I tell +you, Mallow, you are in danger. There is a conspiracy against +you, and the using of your knife to kill that old woman proves +it. To prepare the ground for an accusation, someone stole +it. You must fight, man, or your enemies may bring about your +arrest, in spite of all I can do." + +Mallow dropped into his seat, flushed and angry. + +"I have no enemies," he muttered, trying to collect his wits. + +"Yes, you have, and of the worst kind. Two women are against +you." + +"Two women? Mrs. Octagon, I know, hates me as Caranby's +nephew and because she wants to handle this money. But the +other?" + +"Maraquito Gredos." + +"Bosh! She loves me. I am sure she has worried me enough." + +"Of course she loves," said Jennings satirically. "She loves +you so deeply that she would see you on the scaffold rather +than let you marry Miss Saxon. That is why Mrs. Octagon went +the other night to see her. Mrs. Herne gave a different +version, but--" + +"How do you know Mrs. Octagon went to see Maraquito?" + +"Your uncle saw her. Sit down, Mallow." Jennings gently +pushed back the astonished man into his seat. "Listen while I +tell you all I have discovered lately." + +Mallow listened in silence, and saw very truly that Maraquito +would stick at nothing to gain her ends. However, he made no +remark. "Now," went on Jennings, "it may be that Maraquito +hired someone to kill Miss Loach and is trying to put the +blame on you so that she may entangle you in her net. It will +be either the gallows or marriage with you. Of course she +could not kill the woman herself, but her aunt, Mrs. Herne--" + +"She was out of the house an hour before the blow was struck." + +"Quite so," rejoined Jennings dryly, "but she may have come +back again. However, the main point is, that Maraquito in +some way is working with Mrs. Octagon on this basis to prevent +your marriage. In this way they have impressed Miss Saxon +that you are guilty, and they have shown her this knife. This +evidence she retained in order to save you and at the price of +her marriage." + +"It might be so," said Mallow, dazed with this view of the +case. "I certainly seem to be in a hole. If I could see +Juliet--but her mother prevents me." + +"I have a plan to bring you together. I am engaged to a girl +called Miss Garthorne. She is the niece of an old dancing +master who taught Maraquito--" + +"Le Beau?" + +"The same. Well, I learn from Peggy--that is Miss +Garthorne's name--that she was at school for a few months +with Miss Saxon. Peggy, in spite of her poverty, has had a +good education, thanks to Le Beau, who loves her like a +father. Hence, in spite of the difference in rank, she was +brought into contact with Miss Saxon." + +"Yes! Yes! I see. But the scheme?" + +"Well, Peggy must write to Miss Saxon and ask her to come and +see her at the Pimlico Academy. As Miss Saxon was great +friends with Peggy, she will come. Then you can talk to her +there and learn the truth. Find out who gave her the knife. +She will answer, especially if you tell her that, owing to my +finding the knife, I am inclined to have you arrested. You +understand?" + +"Yes," said Cuthbert, a new fire in his eyes, and drawing +himself up firmly. "I'll get at the truth somehow, and Juliet +will not leave that Academy until I learn it. I have had more +than enough of this kind of thing. But how did the knife +leave my rooms?" + +"Who has called to see you within the last month?" + +"Oh, dozens of people." + +"Has Mrs. Octagon?" + +"No. She never liked me enough to pay me a visit. But Basil--" + +"Ha!" cried Jennings, slapping his knee. "I believe Basil may +have taken it. He is working with his mother to stop the +marriage, and--" + +"Stop--stop!" interposed Mallow, coloring, "you are accusing +Juliet's mother and brother of being accomplices to a crime. +Basil is a fool and Mrs. Octagon is not a nice woman, but I +don't think either would kill a woman in cold blood." + +Jennings had his own opinion about this. Mrs. Octagon--as +was proved by her early history--was capable of doing much, +when number one was in question, and Basil was an +irresponsible, hysterical fool. In a moment of rage he might +have--"But no," said Jennings, breaking off this train of +thought. "I can't see the truth. Miss Saxon knows it. You +must ask her. Be careful, for your life may depend upon it." + +"Bunkum!" said Mallow roughly, "I am not afraid." + +"Then you ought to be," said Jennings quickly, "you were down +at Rose Cottage on that night and the knife is yours. +Certainly you have no motive, but Mrs. Octagon and Maraquito +will soon find one, if you don't fall in with their wishes. +However, you know what you have to do," and Jennings rose to +take his leave, first slipping the knife into his pocket. + +"Wait a bit," said Cuthbert, rising. "I'll do what you say. +Just drop me a line when the meeting is to be. But I want to +tell you--At the Metropolitan Hotel at Brighton I met with +my bank manager." + +"What of that?" + +"He happens to be the manager of the bank where Miss Loach +kept her money and where Juliet keeps it now." + +"Well," said Jennings, becoming suddenly attentive. + +"He didn't tell secrets," went on Mallow, "but we got talking +of Basil, and the manager hinted that Basil had had a lucky +escape." + +"From what?" + +"I can't say. The manager--French, his name is--refused +to speak more openly, and of course he couldn't. But if Miss +Loach had not died, Basil would have got into trouble. He +didn't put the matter exactly in these words, but I gathered +as much." + +"Humph!" said Jennings, his eyes on the carpet, "that supplies +a motive for Basil killing the old woman." + +"Nonsense, Basil would not kill anything. He is a coward." + +"When a rat is in the corner it fights," said the detective +significantly. "Basil may have been between the devil, +represented by Miss Loach, and the deep sea, which we may call +Hale. He may have--" + +"No! No! No!" said Mallow, "nothing will ever persuade me +that Basil is guilty." + +Jennings looked doubtful. He had his own opinion as to young +Saxon's capability for crime. "However, the whole case is so +perplexing that I fear to name any particular person," said +he, taking his hat. "Now I shall see Miss Garthorne and get +her to write to Miss Saxon." + +Apparently there was no difficulty about this, for in three +days he wrote to Mallow, telling him to come to Pimlico on +Friday at four o'clock. Juliet was surprised when she +received an invitation from an old schoolfellow of whom she +had lost sight for years. However, owing to her troubles, she +felt the need of some sympathetic soul in whom she could +safely confide, and knowing Peggy was one of those rare +friends who could keep her own counsel, Juliet readily agreed +to pay the visit. She arrived at the Academy shortly before +three o'clock, and the two girls had a long talk of their old +days. Also Juliet told some of her difficulties--but not +all--to Peggy. "And I don't know how things will turn out," +said Miss Saxon disconsolately, "everything seems to be +wrong." + +"They will continue to be wrong unless you act wisely," said +Peggy. + +"In what way should I act?" + +"Stick to Mr. Mallow. He loves you and you love him. I do +not see why you should surrender your life's happiness for the +sake of your family. Of course you have not told me all," and +Peggy looked at her inquiringly. + +Juliet shuddered. "I dare not tell you all," she said +faintly. "I have to think of other people." + +"Think of Mr. Mallow first." + +"I am thinking of him." + +"Then it is on his account you keep silence." + +Juliet nodded. "I must hold my tongue. If you could advise +me--" + +"My dear," said clear-headed Miss Garthorne, rather +impatiently, "I can't advise unless I know all, and you will +not trust me." + +"I have to consider others," repeated Juliet obstinately; "if +Cuthbert knew what I feel--" + +"Why don't you tell him? See here, Juliet, you are keeping +something back from me. On my part, I have kept something +back from you. But I see it is necessary to speak plainly. +Juliet, I am engaged." + +"Oh, I am so glad," cried Miss Saxon, embracing her friend. +"Is he nice?" + +"I think so; but I am not sure if you will be of that +opinion." + +"Do I know him?" asked Juliet, opening her eyes widely. + +"You do. Not very well, perhaps, but you know him." + +"What is his name?" + +"I'll tell you that after you have seen Mr. Mallow." + +Miss Saxon rose with rather an offended look. "I have no +intention of seeing Mr. Mallow." + +"Supposing he was here, would you consent to an interview?" + +"I don't dare--I dare not! If he asked questions!--what +do you mean?" + +"Nothing," said Peggy briskly. "We have joined issue, as the +lawyers say. I advise you to speak out and you refuse." + +"I don't understand all this. Is Cuthbert here?" + +"Yes. To be plain with you, Juliet, a person I know arranged +that I should write to you and that Mr. Mallow should meet you +here." + +Juliet looked annoyed. "Who is interfering with my private +business?" + +"Someone who can help you." + +"No one can help me," retorted Juliet. + +"Oh, yes, and the advice of this person is that you should +tell the truth to Mr. Mallow." + +"Who is this person?" + +"I'll tell you that after you have seen Mr. Mallow. He is in +the room below." + +"This interfering person you refer to?" + +"No, Mr. Mallow. Will you come downstairs and see him?" + +Juliet drew back as Peggy opened the door. "I dare not." + +"In that case you will have to consent to the arrest of Mr. +Mallow." + +Juliet shrieked. "Cuthbert arrested! For what?" + +"For the murder of Miss Loach." + +"It is not true--it is not true," gasped Juliet. "Oh, +Peggy, what does it all mean? How do you come to know--?" + +"Because I'm engaged to Miles Jennings." + +"The detective! The man who behaved so badly to me?" + +"I don't know what you call behaving badly," said Miss +Garthorne in an offended way. "Miles wishes to help you out +of your difficulties, and you will not allow him. No! Don't +ask questions. I refuse to answer. Miles told me all about +the case and I know everything--" + +"Then you know that he came the other day to Rose Cottage and--" + +"I know everything," said Peggy, leaving the room; "and if you +are wise you will come with me." + +When Peggy disappeared, Juliet hesitated. She really could +not speak to Cuthbert, and resolved to steal out of the trap +into which she had been inveigled by the treacherous Peggy. +On the other hand, things were becoming so serious that she +knew she would have to speak out sooner or later, especially +as Cuthbert was in danger of arrest. But even if she +confessed all, could she save him? "I should only make +matters worse," thought Juliet, descending the stairs, "he'll +thank me some day for holding my tongue. I'll go." + +So she arranged, but meantime Peggy had informed the waiting +Mallow of Juliet's strange behavior. Determined to make her +speak, and anxious to arrive at some understanding, Cuthbert +waited at the foot of the stairs. Juliet, coming down, ran +straight into his arms, and turned white. + +"You!" she gasped, retreating, "you are here after all." + +"Did you not hear Miss Garthorne tell you so?" asked Cuthbert. + +"Peggy is behaving very wickedly." + +"It is you who are behaving badly," said Mallow bluntly, "you +know much about this case and you are keeping me in the dark." + +"It is for your own good," murmured Juliet. + +"You should allow me to be the best judge of that. Come in +here," and Cuthbert drew her towards the open door of the +dancing-room, "tell me what you know and how it affects me." + +The room was large and bare and empty. At one end there was a +kind of dais on which was placed a few chairs. The young man +walked up to this and turned to beckon Juliet, for whom he +placed a chair. She still lingered at the door and seemed +disposed to fly. + +"Juliet, if you go now, all is over," he said determinedly. + +"Cuthbert, how can you?" + +"Because I mean what I say. Things can't go on like this. +You think of your brother--of your mother. You never give a +thought to me." + +Juliet came up the room hurriedly. "I am thinking of you all +the time, Cuthbert," she said angrily, "I keep silence for +your good." + +"In what way?" + +"This murder--" she began. Then her voice died away, "you +know--" + +"I know that Miss Loach was murdered, but who did it I don't +know." + +"Oh," Juliet dropped into a chair, "are you innocent?" + +"Surely you never thought me guilty?" + +"I--I--don't think you are, and yet--" + +"You are going to accuse me of having been on the spot?" + +Juliet could restrain herself no longer. "I saw you myself," +she burst out; "I was there also." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +JULIET'S STORY CONTINUED + + +Cuthbert was so surprised by this admission that astonishment +held him silent for a moment. He never expected to hear that +Juliet herself had been on the spot. Seeing this, she went-- +on quickly. "Now you can understand why I held my tongue. +You were at Rose Cottage on that night. You have enemies who +know you were there. I have been threatened should I insist +on our engagement being fulfilled that you will be arrested. +Therefore I kept away and held my tongue." + +"But if you had told me this long ago--" + +"How could I?" she cried vehemently. "Could I come and say to +you, I believe you are a murderer?" + +"Did you believe that, Juliet?" he asked in a grieved tone. + +"Yes and no," she faltered. "Oh, Cuthbert, you know how I +love you. I could not bring myself to think you were guilty-- +and yet the proofs are so strong. You were at Rose Cottage +at a quarter to eleven--" + +"No. I was there at a quarter past ten." + +"I tell you I saw you at a quarter to eleven. You were getting +over the wall into the park. Then there was the knife--your knife." + +"How did you know it was mine?" + +"By the notches. You told me you always cut three notches on +the handle of any weapon you possessed. One day when mother +and I came to afternoon tea at your place you showed me some +of your weapons--the knife amongst them. One knife is much +like another, and I would not have noticed but for the notches +and for the fact that I saw you on that night. I hid the +knife and Mr. Jennings--" + +"He found it," said Mallow. "Quite so. He told me he did. +When you left the attic he contrived to--" + +"Then the closing of the door was a trick," said Juliet in an +agitated tone. "I might have guessed that. He took the +knife. He has threatened to arrest you, so Miss Garthorne +says." + +"She says rightly," replied Mallow, thinking it best to make +use of all he knew, so as to force her to speak freely. "But +of course, if you can explain--" + +"Explain!" she cried wildly and sinking into a chair. "What +can I explain? That I saw you climbing that wall, running +away apparently from the scene of your crime. That I found +the knife by the body?" + +"What!" Cuthbert started up and looked at her. "You saw the +body?" + +"Yes. I was in the house--in the room. I found my aunt +dead in her chair, with the cards on her lap, exactly as the +parlor-maid saw her. Near her on the floor was the knife. +There was blood on the blade. I picked it up--I saw the +handle was notched in three places, and then--" + +"Then you suspected me." + +"No. Not till I saw you outside." + +Cuthbert took a turn up and down the dais much perplexed. +"Juliet," he said. "I swear to you I never killed this +woman." + +Juliet flew to him and folded him in her arms. "I knew it-- +I knew it," she said, "in spite of the letter--" + +"What letter?" + +"That accusing you and threatening to tell the police about +you if I did not break the engagement." + +"Who wrote it?" + +"I can't say, save that it must have been some enemy." + +"Naturally," replied Mallow cynically. "A friend does not +write in that way. Have you the letter with you." + +"No. It is at home. I never thought of bringing it. But I +will show it to you soon. I wish now I had spoken before." + +"I wish to heaven you had!" + +"I thought it best to be silent," said Juliet, trying to +argue. "I feared lest if I spoke to you, this enemy, +whosoever he is, might carry out the threat in the letter." + +"Is the letter written by a man or a woman?" + +"I can't say. Women write in so masculine a way nowadays. It +might be either. But why were you at the cottage--" + +"I was not. I went to explore the unfinished house on behalf +of Lord Caranby. I was ghost-hunting. Do you remember how +you asked me next day why I wore an overcoat and I explained +that I had a cold--" + +"Yes. You said you got it from sitting in a hot room." + +"I got it from hunting round the unfinished house at Rexton. +I did not think it necessary to explain further." + +Juliet put her hand to her head. "Oh, how I suffered on that +day," she said. "I was watching for you all the afternoon. +When you came I thought you might voluntarily explain why you +were at Rexton on the previous night. But you did not, and I +believed your silence to be a guilty one. Then, when the +letter arrived--" + +"When did it arrive?" + +"A week after the crime was committed." + +"Well," said Cuthbert, rather pained, "I can hardly blame you. +But if you loved me--" + +"I do love you," she said with a passionate cry. "Have I not +proved my love by bearing--as I thought--your burden? +Could I do more? Would a woman who loves as I do accuse the +man she loves of a horrible crime? I strove to shield you +from your enemies." + +"I thought you were shielding Basil. Jennings thought so +also." + +Juliet drew back, looking paler than ever. "What do you know +of him." + +"Very little," said Cuthbert quickly. "Was he at Rose Cottage +on the night in question?" + +"No. He was not there. I did not see him." + +"Yet he was at the Marlow Theatre with you." + +"Yes. He left the theatre before I did." + +"Sit down, Juliet, and tell me exactly how you came to be at +Rose Cottage on that night and why you went." + +Miss Saxon seated herself and told all she knew. "It was this +way," she said, with more calmness than she had hitherto +shown. "Basil and I went to see this new melodrama written by +Mr. Arkwright--" + +"What? The man Mrs. Octagon wishes you to marry?" + +"Yes. He has written a play to make money. My mother was +angry, as she thought such a thing was not worthy of him. He +sent her a box. She refused to go, so Basil and I went. But +the play was so dull that Basil left early, saying he would +come back for me." + +"Do you know where he went?" + +"No. He did not say. Well, the play became worse instead of +better. I was weary to death, so I thought as the theatre was +near Rexton, that I would go and see Aunt Selina. Then I +hoped to return to the box and meet Basil. I was told the +play, being a long one, would not be over till midnight. I +left the theatre at a quarter past ten. It took fifteen +minutes to drive to the cottage. Then I entered quietly to +give aunt a surprise." + +"Ah! It was you opening the door that Thomas heard." + +"Yes! At half-past ten; I had a latch-key. Aunt Selina loved +me very much and wanted me to come and see her whenever I +could. So that I could come and go at pleasure without +troubling the servants, she gave me a latch-key. I happened +to have it in my pocket. I really wished to see her about +this quarrel she had with Basil." + +"What was this quarrel about?" + +Juliet deliberated before replying. "It was a small thing," +she said at length. "Aunt Selina was fond of Basil and often +gave him money. Mr. Octagon doesn't allow Basil much, and +mother has enough to do to make both ends meet. Basil is, I +fear, extravagant. I know he gambles, though he never told me +where he went--" + +"To Maraquito's," said Cuthbert. "I have met him there." + +"I know," said Juliet in rather a reproachful tone. "I wish +you would not gamble, Cuthbert." + +"I have given it up now. I only played for the excitement, +but since our engagement I have hardly touched a card. I +shall not play for money again. My visits to Maraquito's now +are purely in the interests of this case." + +"Does she know anything about it?" asked Juliet, astonished. + +"Yes," replied Mallow, wondering if the girl knew that Mrs. +Octagon had paid a visit to Senora Gredos. "Mrs. Herne, who +was your aunt's friend, is the aunt of Senora Gredos." + +"I never knew that. But about this quarrel. Basil spent more +money than he could afford, poor boy--" + +"Young scamp," murmured Cuthbert. + +"Don't blame him. He means well," expostulated Juliet. +"Well, aunt gave him a lot of money, but he always wanted +more. Then she refused. About a week before Aunt Selina +died, Basil wanted money, and she declined. They had words +and she ordered Basil out of the house. It was to try and +make it up between them that I called on that night." + +"Are you sure Basil did not go also?" + +"I don't think so," said Juliet doubtfully. "He was on bad +terms with Aunt Selina and knew he would not be welcomed. +Besides, he had not a latch-key. Well, Cuthbert, I reached +Rose Cottage at half-past ten and let myself in. I went +downstairs quietly. I found Aunt Selina seated in her chair +near the fire with the cards on her lap, as though she had +been playing 'Patience.' I saw that she was dead." + +"Why did you not give the alarm?" + +Juliet hesitated. "I thought it best not to," she said +faintly. + +It seemed to Mallow that she was keeping something back. +However, she was very frank as it was, so he thought it best +not to say anything. "Well, you saw she was dead?" + +"Yes. She had been stabbed to the heart. There was a knife +on the floor. I picked it up and saw it was yours. Then I +thought--" + +"That I had killed her. Thank you, Juliet." + +"No, no!" she protested. "Really, I did not believe that at +the time. I could not think why you should kill Aunt Selina. +I was bewildered at the time and then--" here Juliet turned +away her head, "I fancied someone else might have killed her." + +"Who?" + +"Don't ask me. I have no grounds on which to accuse anyone. +Let me tell you what I can. Then you may think--but that's +impossible. Cuthbert, ask me no more questions." + +Mallow thought her demeanor strangely suspicious, and wondered +if she was shielding her mother. Mrs. Octagon, who hated +Selina Loach, might have struck the blow, but there was +absolutely no proof of this. Mallow decided to ask nothing, +as Juliet requested. "Tell me what you will, my dear," he +said, "so long as you don't believe me guilty." + +"I don't--I don't--really I don't. I picked up the knife +and left the room after ten minutes. I stole up the stairs +and shut the door so quietly that no one heard. You see, the +first time I did not trouble to do that, but when I found that +aunt was dead I was afraid lest the servants should come and +find me there. I fancied, as I had the knife in my hand and +had entered by means of the latch-key, that I might be +suspected. Besides, it would have been difficult to account +for my unexpected presence in the house at that hour." + +"I quite comprehend!" said Mallow grimly. "We can't all keep +our heads in these difficult situations. Well?" + +"I came out into the garden. I heard the policeman coming +down the lane, and knew I could not escape unobserved that +way. Then if I took the path to the station I fancied he +might see me in the moonlight. I ran across the garden by the +wall and got over the fence amongst the corn, where I lay +concealed. Then I saw you coming round the corner. You +climbed the wall and went into the park. After that I waited +till after eleven, when the policeman entered the house, +summoned by the servants. I then ran round the field, +sheltered from observation by the corn, which, as you know, +was then high, and I got out at the further side. I walked to +Keighley, the next place to Rexton, and took a cab home. I +went straight to bed, and did not see Basil till the next +morning. He told me he had come home later, but he did not +say where he had been, nor did I ask him." + +"But I am sure--unless my watch was wrong, that I climbed +the wall at a quarter past ten," insisted Mallow. + +"You might have climbed it again at a quarter to eleven." + +"No! I climbed it only once. Which way did I come?" + +"Along the path from the station. Then you walked beside the +fence on the corn side, and jumping over, you climbed the +wall." + +"Certainly I did that," murmured Mallow, remembering what he +had told Jennings. "Did you see my face?" + +"No! But I knew you by your height and by the light overcoat +you wore. That long, sporting overcoat which is down to your +heels. Oh, Cuthbert, what is the matter?" + +She might well ask this question, for Mallow had started and +turned pale. "Nothing! nothing," he said irritably. "I +certainly did wear such an overcoat. I was with Caranby +before I went to Rexton, and knowing his room would be heated +like a furnace, I took every precaution against cold." + +Juliet doubted this, as she knew Mallow did not coddle himself +in any way. However, she had seen the overcoat too often to +mistake to whom it belonged. Moreover, Cuthbert did not deny +that he had jumped the wall in the way she explained. "Well, +now you know all, what will you do?" she asked. + +"I really can't say," said Mallow, who was trying to conceal +his agitation. "I can't think who took the knife out of my +room. It was in a trophy of arms on the wall, and I never +noticed that it was missing, till Jennings drew my attention +to the loss. Certainly Miss Loach was killed with that +knife." + +"I am positive of that," said Juliet. "There is blood on the +handle. But you understand why I kept silence?" + +"Yes. But there was really no need. I shall call and see +your mother and insist on her giving her consent to our +marriage. She has no reason to refuse. Do you know why she +objects?" + +"No. She simply says she does not wish me to marry you." + +"Did you not tell her what you have told me?" + +"I did not. What was the use? It was because of my discovery +of the knife and seeing you, and receiving that letter, that I +refused to marry, and so fell in with my mother's plans." + +"Juliet, you are not engaged to Arkwright?" + +"No. I am engaged to you and you only. I mean I only +pretended that I would not marry you. My mother thought I was +obeying her, but I was really shielding you on account of that +letter." + +"Give me the letter, love, and I'll show it to Jennings." + +"No," said Miss Saxon, shrinking back; "get him to drop the +case." + +"Why?" asked Cuthbert dryly. "I could understand that request +when you thought me guilty, but now that you know I am +innocent, and that Jennings is aware I was at Rose Cottage on +that night, surely there is no bar to his proceeding with the +case." + +"I do not wish it," faltered Juliet. + +Cuthbert looked at her steadily and turned away with a sigh. +"You are keeping something from me," he said. + +"And you from me," she retorted. "Why did you start when I +spoke of the overcoat?" + +"Juliet, my own," Cuthbert took her hands earnestly, "there +are circumstances in this case which are very strange. +Innocent persons may be sacrificed. It is best for you and me +to have nothing more to do with the matter. Miss Loach is +dead. Who killed her will never be known. Let us marry, dear +heart, and leave the case alone." + +"I am quite willing. But my mother?" + +"I shall persuade her to consent." + +"I hope so; but I fear she hates you because you are Lord +Caranby's nephew. She hinted as much. I don't know the +reason." + +"I do," said Mallow calmly, "and I think I may be able to +persuade her to see reason. I shall meddle no more with the +case." + +"What about Mr. Jennings?" + +"I will tell him what I have told you, and what you have told +me. Then I will point out the futility of looking for a +needle in a haystack. He may be inclined to let the case +drop. He ought to be weary of it by this time." + +Juliet looked wistfully at him. "Can't we be plain with one +another?" + +"No," said Mallow, shaking his head, "you have your suspicions +and I mine. Let us refrain from talking about the matter." + +Miss Saxon drew a breath of relief. "I think that is best," +she said, and her expression was reflected in the eyes of her +lover. "When will you come and see mother?" + +"Next week. If her objection is a question of money, you can +hand over the whole of that income you have inherited." + +"Aunt Selina's six thousand a year! Why?" + +"Because I have enough money for us both, and when Caranby +dies I shall be almost a millionaire. I don't like you having +this money." + +"But your reason?" + +"I have none that I can tell you. Besides, if we can buy Mrs. +Octagon's consent with even six thousand a year--" + +"I do not mind," said Juliet. "But now that I know you are +really innocent, and I take shame to myself for having doubted +you, I am willing to marry you, even though my mother +withholds her consent." + +"My darling!" Cuthbert folded the girl in his arms and kissed +her. "I now know that you truly love me. Indeed, I never +doubted you." + +"But I doubted myself," said Juliet tearfully. "I should +never have suspected you, even though the evidence was so +strong." + +"You lost your head for the moment," said her lover, "but +don't let us talk any more about the matter. I shall pacify +Jennings and get him to drop the case. Then we will marry and +take a tour round the world so as to forget these unpleasant +matters." + +"Yes, that is best," said Juliet, and the two walked towards +the door. + +They should have been completely happy now that all +misunderstandings were cleared up, but each wore a gloomy +expression. Apparently the shadow of Miss Loach's death still +clouded the sunshine of their lives. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + + +Jennings was at breakfast in his rooms, considering what he +should do next in connection with the case. As yet he had not +heard from Cuthbert with regard to the interview with Juliet. +The detective waited upstairs in Le Beau's sitting-room for +the conclusion of the meeting, but when Mallow never appeared +he went down. Then he learned from Peggy, who was in the +office, that the lovers had been gone for some time "I thought +you knew," said Miss Garthorne. + +"No," replied Jennings, "I did not know," and then, since he +had no further reason to remain, he took his departure also, +wondering why Mallow had not come to report the matter. + +That same evening he sought out Mallow, but was unable to find +him at his accustomed haunts. More perplexed than ever, +Jennings, leaving a note at Mallow's rooms, had returned to +his own. He could make no new move until he heard from +Mallow, and the young man did not appear inclined to give any +assistance. Next morning, while at breakfast, he expected his +friend, but still there was no appearance of the visitor. A +ring came to the door and Jennings thought that this was +Cuthbert at last. He was distinctly disappointed when Drudge +made his appearance. + +"Well," said Jennings sharply, "what is it?" + +"I followed the lady you saw, sir." + +"Mrs. Herne? Yes." + +"She left her house in Hampstead and walked down the hill. +There she took a cab. I followed in another. Her cab stopped +at the house of Maraquito in Soho. Since then I have been +watching the house, but I have not seen Mrs. Herne again." + +"She is Senora Gredos' aunt," explained Jennings, "so I expect +she is stopping with her." + +"No, sir, she isn't. I made friends with a boy called Gibber--" + +"Yes. He is a page in the house. Well?" + +"I gave him a drink or two," said Drudge, "and a few stamps, +as he is a collector. He become friendly with me, and I asked +him about the house. He was very frank, but he said nothing +about the gambling." + +"Humph! I expect he has been told to hold his tongue. Well, +did you hear anything at all?" + +"I heard that Gibber had never seen Mrs. Herne. He did not +even know her name. Now, sir," went on Drudge, laying a +finger in the palm of his hand, "if Mrs. Herne was stopping at +the Soho house, Gibber would have seen her." + +A flash of joy passed across the countenance of Jennings, but +he turned away from his underling so that he might not betray +the satisfaction he felt. "Mrs. Herne is Maraquito's aunt," +he said again. + +"No, sir, pardon me. Maraquito hasn't got an aunt. Leastways +the aunt, if there is such a person, has never set foot in the +house." + +"Perhaps Maraquito sees her secretly." + +"Well," said Drudge pensively, "she certainly went in by a +side door, Mr. Jennings. Do you want me to watch further, +sir?" + +"Yes. Keep your eye on the Soho house, and should Mrs. Herne +reappear, follow her. Anything else?" + +"Yes, sir. Mrs. Herne when walking down the hill dropped a +small bag." + +"Ah! Have you got it?" + +"No. She was too sharp for me. I was picking it up when she +missed it and came to claim it. But before she reached me I +had opened it. Only her handkerchief was inside. I gave it +back, and she gave me a shilling. But the queer thing, sir, +is the scent." + +"What scent?" asked Jennings, looking keenly at the man. + +"Oh, a strange strong scent, fit to knock you down, sir." + +"Well, and why shouldn't a lady use scent. It is customary." + +"It is, sir. My wife uses scent. But this was a queer smell. +And then a man shouldn't use scent," burst out Drudge. + +"Some men are effeminate enough to do so," said Jennings +drily. "But I don't quite understand all this." + +"I can tell you what puzzled me at once," said the underling, +"after watching Maraquito's house for some time, I put another +fellow on, and went to the office. I had to go to see the +police about some matter, and I spoke to Inspector Twining of +the Rexton district. He had on his desk a handkerchief and a +few articles which had just been taken from a man who had been +arrested for passing false coins." + +"Oh!" Jennings looked very interested, "go on." + +"This man was in one of the cells, and he is to be brought +before the magistrate this morning. They searched him and +took his handkerchief from him." + +"It is not customary to do that?" + +"No, Sir. But this man--I don't know his name--had two +handkerchiefs. The searcher thought that was one too many," +said Drudge, with the glimmer of a smile, "and took one." + +"Why do you tell me all this?" asked Jennings impatiently. + +"Because the handkerchief was scented with the same perfume as +the handkerchief of Mrs. Herne I picked up. The moment I +smelt it I thought of her coming back for the bag. The scent +is so strange and strong that I thought it just as well to +mention it to you. You are interested in Mrs. Herne, sir, so +if this man uses the same scent--" + +"Quite so. You have acted very wisely. Where was the man +arrested?" + +"At a place near Rexton. He was trying to get a drink and +gave a shilling--it was false. The inspector will show it +to you, sir. And another queer thing, Mr. Jennings, this man +had some rags and a bottle of petroleum on him." + +"Humph! Perhaps he intended to set fire to some place. Have +you heard of any fire?" + +"No, sir, not near Rexton." + +"At what time was the man arrested?" + +"At nine last night. He is in jail now, and will be brought +up this morning on a charge of passing false money." + +"I'll look into it, Drudge. It is strange about the scent: +but there may be nothing in the matter. The man could easily +buy scent of the kind Mrs. Herne uses. Go back to Soho and +watch the house. Let me know if Mrs. Herne comes out, and +where she goes." + +"Yes, sir," said Drudge, and bowed himself out. + +When the man was gone Jennings walked up and down his room in +a great state of excitement. He was beginning to see the end +of the matter. That the scent should be used by a man who was +passing false coins confirmed his idea that it was some +peculiar sign whereby the members of the gang recognized one +another. If Mrs. Herne really was the aunt of Maraquito, this +matter implicated her as well as the niece. And Mrs. Herne +had been accustomed to go to Rose Cottage, which hinted that +Miss Loach had perhaps learned of the existence of the gang +and had suffered for her indiscreet curiosity. + +"I believe Miss Loach threatened to disclose what she knew. +She may have learned that the gang worked in that house from +the fact of the ghosts, in which so strongminded an old lady +would not believe. I daresay she threatened exposure, and +someone killed her. Perhaps Mrs. Herne herself. No, confound +it, she was out of the house. Well, I'll see this man now in +jail. I may be able to force him to tell. And I'll call on +Lord Caranby to-day, and get permission to search the +unfinished house. I am quite sure there is a factory there. +I wish Mallow would come and tell me if he has learned +anything." + +Again there was a ring at the door, and this time Jennings, +expecting no one else, certainly hoped to see Cuthbert. But, +to his surprise, the servant showed in Lord Caranby. The old +gentleman was calm and composed as usual, but Jennings thought +he looked ill and frail. The dark circles round his eyes were +more pronounced than ever, and he leaned heavily on his cane. +He was perfectly dressed as usual, and seemed disposed to be +friendly. + +"I am glad to see you, Lord Caranby," said the detective, when +the old gentleman was accommodated with the chair, "have you +had breakfast?" + +"Thank you, yes. But I could not eat any," said Caranby, +breathing heavily. "Those stairs of, yours are trying, Mr. +Jennings. I am not so young or so strong as I was." + +"You don't look the picture of health, my lord." + +"Can you expect a dying man to?" + +"Dying--oh, no, you--" + +"Dying," insisted Caranby, rapping his stick on the ground. +"I know that I have not many months to live, and I sha'n't be +sorry when the end comes. I have had a hard time. Cuthbert +will soon be standing in my shoes. I suffer from an incurable +complaint, Mr. Jennings, and my doctor tells me I shall die +soon." + +"I am sure Mallow will be sorry," said Jennings, wondering why +Caranby, ordinarily the most reticent of men, should tell him +all this. + +"Yes--yes, Cuthbert is a good fellow. I should like to see +him happy and settled with Miss Saxon before I die. But +Maraquito will do her best to hinder the match." + +"She may soon have enough to do to look after herself," said +Jennings grimly. "I shall see that she gets her deserts." + +"What do you suspect her of?" asked Caranby hastily. + +"I can't tell you yet. I have no proofs. But I am +suspicious." + +"She is a bad woman," said the old man. "I am certain of +that. And she will stop at nothing to marry Cuthbert. But +this is not what I came to see you about, Mr. Jennings. You +asked my permission to go over my house at Rexton?" + +"I did. And I was coming to-day to get the permission +confirmed." + +"Then I am sorry to say you cannot go over it." + +"Why not?" asked Jennings, wondering why Lord Caranby had +changed his mind--a thing he rarely did. "I only want to--" + +"Yes! Yes!" Caranby waved his hand impatiently, "but the fact +is, the house has been burnt down." + +"Burnt down--at Rexton!" cried Jennings, jumping from his +seat. + +"Yes. It caught fire in some way last night, about eight +o'clock. There was a high wind blowing, and the house has +been burnt to the ground. Not only that, but, as the weather +has been dry, the whole of the trees and shrubs and +undergrowth in the park have gone likewise. I am informed +that everything within the circle of that wall is a heap of +ashes. Quite a burning of Rome," chuckled Caranby. + +"Do you suspect the house was set on fire?" + +"Of course I do. Even though the weather is hot, I don't +think this can be a case of spontaneous combustion. Probably +some tramp--" + +"No," said Jennings decisively, "it is strange you should come +to me with this news. One of my men has lately been here, and +he tells me that a man was arrested near Rexton last night for +passing false money. He had on him a bottle of petroleum and +some rags." + +"Ah!" said Caranby, quite serene, "so you think--" + +"There can be no doubt about it, my lord. This man set fire +to the house. People don't carry bottles of petroleum about +for nothing." + +"But why should he set fire deliberately to my house?" + +"At the instance of the Saul family?" + +Lord Caranby sat bolt upright. "What do you mean?" + +"Humph! It is rather a long story. But this man who was +caught used a particular kind of scent called Hikui. +Maraquito uses it also, and her aunt, Mrs. Herne." + +"Mrs. Herne? She is not Maraquito's aunt." + +"She told me herself that she was." + +"And I tell you that Emilia, who is dead, was the only aunt +Maraquito ever had. Why does Mrs. Herne say this?" + +"That is what I am trying to find out. She said that you did +not know the whole history of the Saul family." + +"I know quite enough," said Caranby gloomily, "the members +were abominably wicked. Maraquito's father died after he was +discharged from jail for coining; and the mother also." + +"Well, my lord, this man, who apparently fired your house, was +trying to pass false coins. He uses the same scent as +Maraquito does, leaving mysterious Mrs. Herne out of the +question." + +"Well, and what do you deduce from that?" + +"I believe that there is a gang of coiners in existence, of +which this man, Clancy, Hale, Maraquito and Mrs. Herne are +members. All use the scent Hikui, which probably is a sign +amongst them. In what way it is utilized I cannot say, unless +they meet one another in the dark, and recognize their +confreres by the scent." + +"I see. It might be so. But why should this man burn my +house?" + +Jennings shrugged his shoulders. "I can hardly say. I think +the coiners used that house as a factory. But since it is +burnt down, that seems impossible. This man may have fired it +out of revenge, on account of some row with the gang." + +"Or else," said Caranby deliberately, "knowing that you were +going to search the house, perhaps it was fired to destroy all +traces of the factory. Do you connect this with Selina's +death?" + +"I do. I believe that she learned of the existence of the +factory, and that she threatened to denounce Clancy, Hale and +Mrs. Herne. Then, to silence her, she was stabbed." + +"But the three you mention were out of the house before the +death." + +"I know that, and they gave their evidence freely enough at +the inquest. I have not yet fitted the pieces of the puzzle +into one another, but I am certain the lot are connected from +their use of the perfume. Also, as this man who has been +caught was passing false money, and as Maraquito and probably +Mrs. Herne are surviving members of the Saul family who +practised coining, I should not be surprised to find that my +theories are correct. But how could anyone know that I +intended to go, over your house?" + +"You asked me in Maraquito's salon. Clancy and Hale were +about." + +"Humph!" said Jennings, "you see the various parts of the +puzzle are fitting together excellently. Probably one of +those two overheard." + +"Probably. That Hale looks a sly creature and capable of +much. I wonder if he is related to the Saul family. He has +the same nose." + +"And the same eyebrows meeting over the nose," said Jennings. +"Mrs. Herne has a similar mark. I am sure she is a relative of +Maraquito's." + +"If she is her aunt, I give you leave to call me a fool," said +Caranby, rising. "I know that Emilia told me she had no +sister. What will you do next, Jennings?" + +"I shall see this man who fired the house and try to get at +the truth. Then I am having Mrs. Herne watched--" + +"And Maraquito?" + +"She can't move from her couch, so there is no danger of her +escaping. But now that the coining factory is destroyed, I +shall find it difficult to bring home the crime to anyone. I +wish Cuthbert would come." + +"Do you expect him?" + +"Yes. Listen, Lord Caranby," and Jennings related the episode +of the knife, and how he had brought Mallow and Juliet +together. "And it seems to me," went on the detective, "that +Cuthbert learned something from Miss Saxon which he does not +wish to tell me." + +"Something to do with Mrs. Octagon." + +"Why with her?" demanded Jennings suddenly. + +"Oh, because I think Isabella capable of much. She is a fatal +woman!" + +"What do you mean by that phrase?" + +"Isabella exercised a bad influence on my life. But for her I +should have married Selina and should not have fallen in with +Emilia Saul. I should have been happy, and probably Selina +would not have met with her tragic death." + +"Do you think the sister has anything to do with it?" + +"I can't say. All I know is that whomsoever Isabella came +into contact with had trouble. I do well to call her a fatal +woman." + +"Humph!" said Jennings, "I would rather call Maraquito a fatal +woman, as I believe she brought about the death in some way +for the double purpose of silencing Miss Loach regarding the +factory of coins and of stopping the marriage of her rival +with Cuthbert." + +Curiously enough, Cuthbert was shown into the room at this +moment. So interested had Caranby and Jennings been in their +conversation that they had not heard the bell. Mallow looked +in good health, but his face wore a worried expression. +Without preamble, and after greeting his uncle, he walked up +to his friend. + +"Jennings," he said calmly, "I have seen Juliet, and she +agrees with me that this case should not be gone on with." + +"Ah! does she, and on what grounds?" + +"Because she has consented to marry me. She intends, at my +request, to make over Miss Loach's money to her mother. We +have had quite enough dabbling in crime, and we are both sick +of it." + +"I think you are very wise," said Caranby unexpectedly, "let +the case be, Mr. Jennings." + +"What did Miss Saxon tell you?" asked the detective +irrelevantly. + +Mallow sat down and in a calm voice detailed all that he had +learned from Juliet. "So you see it throws no light on the +subject." Had Mallow mentioned the time at which Juliet +asserted she saw him climb over the wall a new light would +certainly have been thrown. But he purposely omitted this, +and simply said that Juliet had seen him. "I told you I was +there, Jennings," he added. +"Quite so," said the detective. "Certainly, nothing new has +come out." + +"Well, then leave the case alone." + +"I fear I shall have to, now that the Rexton house has been +burnt down," and Jennings related in his turn what had taken +place. + +Cuthbert listened moodily. "You see," he said, "everything is +against us. I only wanted the mystery cleared up so that +Juliet might marry me, but now that she wishes to do so, +without searching further, I am not going to do anything +else." + +"Nor I," said Jennings sadly, "nothing is to be learned. The +case will remain a mystery to the end of time." + +Caranby rose and took Cuthbert's arm. "You young men are +faint-hearted," he said, with a shrug. + +"If you want my opinion, Mrs. Octagon killed her sister. A +fatal woman, I tell you both--a fatal woman." + +"And a clever one," said Jennings gloomily, "she has baffled +me." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SUSAN'S DISCOVERY + + +Although Jennings appeared to acquiesce in Mallow's suggestion +that the case should be abandoned, he had not the slightest +intention of leaving the matter alone. His professional pride +was irritated by the difficulties, and he swore that he would +in some way learn the truth. Moreover, the matter did not +only deal with the death of Miss Loach, but with the discovery +of a coining gang. From various obvious facts connected with +the Crooked Lane crime, Jennings made sure that such a gang +was in existence, and that the factory had been in the +unfinished house. Now that the house was burnt down, it would +seem that the coiners had lost their city of refuge, and would +probably give up their nefarious trade. As the gang-- +judging from the number of false coins circulated during the +past five years--had been in existence for a long time, it +was probable that the members had made sufficient money to +retire from so dangerous a business. + +"I wonder if the house was set on fire by this arrested man, +out of revenge," thought Jennings, as he dressed to go out, +"or whether the gang, finding things were growing dangerous +since the death of Miss Loach, ordered him to destroy the +factory? I can hardly think that, as to preserve the secret, +Miss Loach was assassinated. It is not likely that after +paying so terrible a price, such destruction would be agreed +upon. Certainly the factory may be removed to another place. +Humph! I wonder if I can trace it. The best thing for me to +do will be to go to Rexton and look at the ruins." + +So to Rexton the detective went, and found a large crowd round +the wall of the park. This had been broken down in several +places so as to admit the fire engines, and Jennings found a +policeman on duty who had been one of the first to see the +fire, and who had indeed summoned the brigade. On telling his +name and position, the man was willing to state all he knew. + +"I was on duty about eight o'clock," he said officially. +"There was a high wind blowing, but the night was fine and +dry. While walking down Crooked Lane, intending to take the +path to the station, I saw a light behind the wall of the +park. Then a tongue of flame shot up, and it didn't need much +cleverness to see that the old house was on fire. Almost +before I could collect my wits, sir, the place was in a blaze. +You see the dry weather, the heat and the high wind, made +everything blaze finely. I signalled for the brigade, and it +came up as soon as possible. But as there is no gate in the +wall, we had to break it down to get the engines in. There +was a large crowd by this time, and we had all the help we +needed. By this time the whole house was flaming like a +bonfire. When we got the wall down the most part of the house +was gone, and the fire had caught the surrounding shrubs, so +all we could do was to halt on the edge of the mass and squirt +water, in the hope of putting out the flames. But, Lord bless +you!" said the officer with good-humored contempt, "you might +as well have tried with a child's squirt. As you see, sir, +everything is gone within the wall. Leastways, all but that +big oak near the wall." + +It was as the man said. House, trees, shrubs, even the grass +had been swept away by the fierce flames. Within the walls +which had secluded the place from the world was a blackened +space covered with debris. Where the house had stood was a +mound of twisted iron girders, charred beams and broken +slates. And everywhere the wind was lifting the fine gray +ashes and scattering them abroad, as though in sorrow for the +destruction of the previous night. Jennings took all this in +at a glance. Policemen were on guard at the various gaps in +the wall, as no one was allowed to enter. But the detective, +by virtue of his office, walked across the bare expanse with +the inspector, and trod under foot the black ashes. There was +nothing to be gained, however, by this inspection. All that +could be seen were the destroyed park and the mound where the +house had been. "What of the cellars?" asked Jennings. + +"Well," said Inspector Twining genially, "I suppose there are +cellars, but there's nothing in them. The house was shut up +for years by a queer nobleman." + +"By Lord Caranby," replied the detective. "I know. I suppose +the cellars are under that heap. I must get Lord Caranby to +allow me to clear it away." + +"I expect that will be done, whether or no. Lord Caranby came +down and told one of our men that be intended to throw down +the wall and let the place as a building site. So when the +building begins the heap will soon be cleared away and the +cellars laid bare. But there's nothing there," said the +inspector again. + +"I am not so sure of that." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Nothing. I have an idea," answered the detective, who did +not wish to tell the man how he now began to fancy that the +factory for safety had been placed in the cellars. "By the +way, did this man who was arrested give his name?" + +"No. He refuses to answer any questions. He was, as you +know, Mr. Jennings, arrested for trying to pass a bad +shilling, but there is no doubt he fired the place. The +bottle of petroleum he had in his possession was empty, and--" + +"Yes! I heard all that. Where is he now?" + +The inspector named a place near Rexton where the man had been +incarcerated, pending being brought before the magistrate. +"I am going that way," said the inspector. "If you like to +come--" + +"I'll come," said Jennings. "I intended to see this man. +There has been a lot of talk about false coins being passed +lately." + +Mr. Twining nodded, and began to tell of various cases which +had taken place in the district. The two took the train to +the place where the police station to which the inspector +belonged was situated. It was now after twelve o'clock, and +Jennings thought he would have some luncheon before going to +the station. But, unexpectedly, a constable seeing the +inspector, came hurriedly towards him, saluting as he spoke. + +"Please, sir, you're wanted at the station," he said. "A +message was sent to Rexton." + +"I have just come from Rexton. What is it?" + +"That man who was arrested for coining, sir?" + +"What about him?" asked the inspector, while Jennings listened +with all his ears. He was far from expecting to hear the +reply. + +"He is dead, sir," said the policeman. + +"Dead! What do you mean? He was well enough this morning." + +"Well, sir, he's dead now--poisoned!" + +"Poisoned!" echoed Jennings, and thought--"Ha! here's an +undesirable witness got out of the way." Then he followed in +the wake of the inspector, who on hearing the news, hurriedly +walked towards the police station. Here they found that the +news was true. The constable left in charge of the office was +greatly agitated, as it seemed he had been lax in doing his +duty. But he made a faithful report. + +"It was this way, sir," he said, trying to speak calmly. "A +boy of fifteen, very poorly dressed--in rags almost--came +crying and asking for the prisoner. He said the prisoner was +his father." + +"How did he know that, when the prisoner gave no name and was +arrested only last night?" + +"The boy--Billy Tyke his name is, so I suppose the father is +called Tyke also--says his father went out last night. He +was always a drunkard, and left the boy to starve. The boy +followed him later, and knowing he would be on the burst, went +to the public-house, where the man was arrested for passing +the bad shilling. There, he was told that his father was in +jail, and came here to ask us to let him see him." + +"You should have refused and have detained the boy. Well?" + +"I was moved by the little chap's tears," said the constable, +abashed, "so I let him go into the cell." + +"Were you with him?" asked the inspector sharply. + +"No, sir. We left them alone for a few minutes. As the boy +was so sad and cut up, I thought there would be no harm in +doing that. Well, sir, the boy came out again in ten minutes, +still crying, and said he would get a lawyer to defend his +father. He did not believe his father had passed the money. +Then he went away. Later--about half an hour later, we went +into the cell and found the man lying groaning, with an empty +bottle of whisky beside him. The doctor came and said he +thought the man had been poisoned. The man groaned and said +the young shaver had done for him. Then he became unconscious +and died." + +Jennings listened to this statement calmly. He saw again the +hand of the coiners. The person who controlled the members +evidently thought that the man would blab, and accordingly +took precautionary measures to silence him. Without doubt, +the man had been poisoned, and the boy had been sent to do it. +"What is the boy like?" he asked. + +"Billy Tyke, sir?" said the constable, replying on a nod from +his chief, to whom he looked for instructions, "a thin boy, +fair and with red rims round his eyes--looks half starved, +sir, and has a scarred mouth, as though he had been cut on the +upper lip with a knife." + +Jennings started, but suppressed his emotion under the keen +eyes of the observant Twining. He had an idea that he knew +who the boy was, but as yet could not be sure. "I'll cut +along to the public-house where this man was arrested," said +Jennings, "I suppose you'll hold an inquest." + +"Certainly, seeing the man has been poisoned." Then the +inspector proceeded to rebuke the constable who had performed +his duty so ill, and threatened him with dismissal. Jennings +left in the midst of the trouble, after getting the inspector +to promise that, he would report the result of the inquest. + +At the public-house--it was the "White Horse," Keighley, an +adjoining suburb--Jennings learned that the man who called +himself--or rather who was called by his presumed son-- +Tyke, was not an habitue of the place. Therefore, the boy +could not have known that his supposed father was there. +Apparently some information had reached the lad, whereby he +was able to trace Tyke to the prison, and had carried to him +there the bottle of poisoned whisky. Jennings returned to +town quite satisfied that he had another clue to the existence +of the coiners. Also, he determined to satisfy himself on a +point concerning Maraquito, about which he had long been in +doubt. + +For the next few days Jennings did nothing. He kept away from +Mallow, as he did not wish that young man to know that he was +still going on with the case. Sometimes he went to +Maraquito's place, and learned incidentally that, as there was +a chance of her being cured, she was about to give up the +gambling salon. Jennings quite expected this information, and +assured Hale, who gave it to him, that it was the best thing +Maraquito could do. "Sooner or later the police will pounce +down on this place," he said. + +"As you are a detective, I wonder you haven't stopped it +before," said Hale, with an unpleasant smile. + +"I had my reasons," said Jennings calmly, "besides, Maraquito +has conducted the place quite respectably. I suppose," he +added idly, "you will go abroad also?" + +"What do you mean by that?" demanded Hale in silky tones. + +"Mrs. Herne has gone to the Continent," said Jennings quietly, +"and if Senora Gredos gives up this very dangerous business, +she may go also. As you will be deprived of two of your +friends, Mr. Hale, doubtless you will go also." + +"I might. One never knows," replied Hale coolly. + +"By the way?" asked Jennings, looking round, "I was admitted +by a parlor-maid this evening. Where is Gibber?" + +"I believe Senora Gredos has dismissed him for dishonesty." + +"Ah, really," replied the detective, who had his own opinion. +"So it seems Senora Gredos is getting rid of her household +already." + +Hale winced under the eye of Jennings and turned away with a +shrug. He was apparently glad to get away. Jennings looked +after him with a smile. "I'll catch the whole gang," he +murmured, and took his departure, having learned what he +wished to know--to wit, that Gibber had disappeared. + +"Without doubt he was the boy who poisoned Tyke," said +Jennings, as he walked home with a cigar for company. "I +believe Maraquito is the head of the gang, and the fatal woman +that Caranby talks about. She heard that Tyke had been +arrested, and sent the boy to poison him lest he should blab. +I wonder if it was by her direction that the house was fired. +Well, I'll wait. As yet I cannot get a warrant, having +nothing but theory to go on. But the nets are being spread, +and unless Maraquito and her friends clear out with Mrs. +Herne, they will be caught. When they are all in jail there +may be some chance of learning who murdered that unfortunate +woman in Rose Cottage." + +Later on, Jennings received the report of the inquest, which +appeared also that evening in the newspapers. It seemed that +Tyke had been poisoned with arsenic, administered in the +whisky bottle. From his appearance he was a hard drinker, and +doubtless the boy had no difficulty in inducing him to drink. +Tyke had drank freely--indeed the doctor said he had taken +enough to kill three men,--and therefore he had died almost +immediately the boy left, and before he had time to speak. +The inspector, who wrote to Jennings, stated that the +constable who had admitted the boy had been dismissed the +force, but the boy himself could not be traced. "I shouldn't +be surprised if he had taken refuge in the cellars of the +house," said Jennings, "that is, if the factory is there. I +must see Caranby and get his permission to remove the rubbish. +Only when I have searched the foundation of that house, will +my suspicions be set at rest." + +Unexpected aid came to help him in this quarter, as Caranby +sent a note, stating that the rubbish and debris of the fire +would be removed next week, and inviting Jennings to be +present. Caranby added that Mallow had resumed his visits to +the "Shrine of the Muses," but that Mrs. Octagon still +continued hostile. Basil, however, was more friendly. "I +daresay," commented Jennings, on reading this last sentence, +"he has his own axe to grind over that money." + +It was about this time that the detective received a visit +from Susan Grant. She looked as neat and timid as usual, and +appeared at his rooms one morning with a request for an +interview. "I said I would help Mr. Mallow if I could," she +said when seated. + +"Oh, and have you anything likely to help him,-" + +"Not exactly," said Susan, "but I found some old papers of +father's." + +"I don't quite understand," said the detective, who did not +see what the girl's father had to do in the matter. + +"Well, it's this way, sir. Father was poisoned five years +ago." + +"Who poisoned him?" + +"That we never knew," explained Susan. "Father's name was +Maxwell, but when mother married Mr. Grant she made me take +that name. It was supposed that father committed suicide, and +mother felt the disgrace dreadful. That was why she married +and changed the name. But I don't believe father, when on the +point of making us rich, would swallow so much arsenic as he +did." + +"What's that--arsenic?" said Jennings, recalling the death +of Tyke. + +"Yes, sir. It was this way. Father was working at Rexton--" + +"At Rexton?" said Jennings impatiently, "yes, yes, go on." + +"At a house near the railway station which I can point out, +mother having seen it when she went to inquire." + +"Inquire about what?" + +"About father's secret job. He had one he used to go to for +three hours every day by agreement with the foreman. Father +was very clever and could do all sorts of things. Mother +never knew what the job was, but father said it would make us +all rich." + +"Yes, go on." Jennings looked at her, nursing his chin. + +"The other day I came across some papers," said Susan, taking +a roll out of her pocket. "And it proved to be plans of +father's secret job. And you might have knocked me down with +a feather, Mr. Jennings, when I saw on the plans the name of +Rose Cottage." + +The detective jumped up, greatly excited. "Rose Cottage!" he +cried, holding out his hands. "The plans--the plans!" + +"I brought them, as I know Miss Saxon who now has Rose +Cottage, is engaged to Mr. Mallow--" + +"Haven't you got over that nonsense yet?" said Jennings, who +was looking eagerly at the plans. + +"Yes, I have," replied Miss Grant, confidentially. "I am +engaged to a rising young baker who is just a foreman just +now, but we hope to save and start a shop. Still, I promised +to help Mr. Mallow, and I thought he would like to see those +plans. You see, sir, they have to do with Rose Cottage." + +"Yes, I do see," almost shouted Jennings, "and I'll bag the +whole lot." + +"What are you talking about, sir?" + +"Ah, I forgot you don't know," said the detective subsiding, +"I'll tell you later. But you have made a discovery, Susan. +This plan shows a secret entrance into Rose Cottage." + +"I know it does, sir, and I thought Miss Saxon would like to +see it. I don't know what Miss Loach wanted with a secret +entrance, though." + +"I fancy I do," said Jennings, rolling up the plans. "Your +father was a very clever man, Susan. Too clever for some +people. He made this secret entrance when the new wing of the +cottage was built five years ago, and those who employed him +gave him arsenic by way of a reward. Tyke died of arsenic +also, so they are carrying on the same game." + +"Oh dear, oh dear!" wept Susan, not hearing the latter part of +the sentence. "So father was poisoned after all. Who did it, +sir?" + +"I can't tell you that," said Jennings, becoming cautious. +"You had better say nothing about this, Susan, till I give you +leave. You have done Mr. Mallow a great service. These plans +may lead to a discovery of the murderer." + +"And then Miss Saxon will marry Mr. Mallow." + +"Yes. Will you be sorry?" + +"No, Mr. Jennings. I am quite satisfied with my baker." + +"Then I tell you what, Susan. Lord Caranby has offered a +reward for the detection of the murderer. If these plans lead +to his detection, you will receive a sufficient sum to set up +in business." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +BASIL + + +While Jennings was thus working at the case, and hoping to +bring it to a successful issue, Cuthbert was resting in the +happy belief that no further steps were being taken. The +detective had appeared so despondent when Mallow called with +Caranby that the former thought with some show of reason that +he meant what he said. Had he known that Jennings was still +active he would have been much disturbed. + +Agreeably to Cuthbert's suggestion, Juliet had offered the +money of Miss Loach to her mother. But Mrs. Octagon refused +to be bribed--as she put it--into consenting to the match. +In the presence of Mallow himself, she expressed the greatest +detestation for him and for his uncle, and told Juliet she +would never acknowledge her as a daughter if she married the +young man. The poor girl was thus between two fires--that +of her love for Cuthbert, and that of her mother's hearty +hatred for the Earl and his nephew. Under the circumstances +Cuthbert thought it best to remain away from the "Shrine of +the Muses" for a time until Mrs. Octagon could be brought to +see reason. But she was so obstinate a woman that it was +doubtful if she would ever behave in, an agreeable manner. +Cuthbert returned to his rooms in a rather low state of mind. +He knew that Juliet, whatever happened, would remain true to +him, and had quite hoped to bribe Mrs. Octagon into consenting +by means of the inherited money. But now things seemed more +hopeless than ever. Juliet, although not very fond of her +mother, was a devoted daughter from a sense of duty, and it +would be difficult to bring her to consent to a match against +which the elder woman so obstinately set her face. + +Certainly Juliet had said she would marry with or without her +mother's consent, but now that the consent was withheld with +violent words, she seemed inclined to wait. However, if she +did not marry Mallow, he knew well that she would marry no one +else, least of all the objectionable Arkwright, Cuthbert +derived some degree of comfort from this small fact. He +wondered if there was any chance of forcing Mrs. Octagon into +giving her consent, but after surveying the situation could +see no opportunity. + +After dinner that night, Cuthbert was thinking of going to see +his uncle, who still stopped at the Avon Hotel when Hale was +announced. Mallow was surprised. The lawyer was not a friend +of his, and he had no liking for his company. However, he +felt a certain curiosity as to the reason of this unexpected +visit and welcomed the man with civility. But he did not ask +him to have any coffee though it was on the table. Cuthbert +held to the traditions of the East regarding bread and salt, +and he wished to leave himself free to deal with Hale as an +enemy, should occasion arise, as it might. Hale was far too +intimate with Maraquito to please the young man. And +Maraquito's attentions were far too pressing to make Cuthbert +feel comfortable in her presence. + +"Well, Mr. Hale," said Mallow coldly, "why have you come?" + +The lawyer, who was in an evening suit and dressed with taste +and care, took a seat, although not invited to do so. He +looked cold and calm, but there was an excited gleam in his +large eyes which showed that his calmness masked some emotion, +the cause of which Cuthbert could not fathom. "I have come to +see you about young Saxon," he said. + +"Really," answered Mallow coolly, although surprised, "what +can you have to say to me about him." + +"He is your friend--" + +"Pardon me. I can hardly call him so. We are acquaintances +only." + +"But you are engaged to his sister," persisted Hale. + +Mallow threw away the cigarette he was lighting and jumped up. +"I see no reason why Miss Saxon's name should be mentioned, +Mr. Hale." + +"Don't you, Mr. Mallow? I do." + +"Then I object to your mentioning it. State your business and +go, Mr. Hale. I have no acquaintance with you." + +"I can't state my business unless I mention Miss Saxon's +name." + +"Then you will please to take yourself off," said Mallow. + +Hale smiled coldly, though evidently annoyed. "I think it is +to your interest to hear me," he said deliberately, "and to +the interest of the lady whom you hope to call your wife." + +"Does this business concern Miss Saxon?" + +"Indirectly it does. But it rather has to do with her +brother." + +Mallow frowned. The conversation was taking a turn of which +he did not approve. However, he knew well the dangerous +ground upon which he stood with regard to the case, and +thought it best to hear what his unexpected visitor had to +say. "State your business," he said curtly. + +"Very good," replied Hale, nursing his silk hat on his knee. +"I see you don't offer me coffee or a cigarette." + +"We are not friends, sir. And let me remind you that you +thrust yourself uninvited on me." + +"To do you a service," said Hale quickly. "I think, +therefore, that I deserve a better reception." + +"Will you please come to the point?" said Mallow coldly, +"whatever the service may be, I am quite sure it is two for +you if one for me. You are not the man to go out of your way, +Mr. Hale, to help anyone." + +Hale nodded and smiled grimly. "You are quite right. Now, +then, Mr. Mallow, do you know that Basil Saxon was to have +inherited the money of my late client, Miss Loach?" + +"No, I never knew that. I understood that Miss Loach always +intended to leave the money to Miss Saxon." + +Hale shook his well-oiled head. "On the contrary, Mr. Saxon +was her favorite. In spite of his wild ways she liked him. +However, she was also fond of Miss Saxon, and you may thank +Miss Loach, Mr. Mallow, for having been the means of +forwarding your engagement." + +"What do you mean by that?" asked Cuthbert angrily. + +"Mrs. Octagon," went on the lawyer deliberately, "would never +have consented to Miss Saxon becoming engaged to you had not +Miss Loach insisted that she should agree." + +"Seeing that Mrs. Octagon hated her sister and was not likely, +to be influenced by her, I do not see how that can be." + +"Perhaps not. Nevertheless, such is the case. You saw how, +when Miss Loach died, Mrs. Octagon seized the first +opportunity to place obstacles in the way of your marriage." + +"I believe she did that on Maraquito's account, Mr. Hale. I +know perfectly well that Mrs. Octagon called on Maraquito." + +"Quite so--to ask Maraquito not to let Basil Saxon play +beyond his means. Certainly, Maraquito having a strange fancy +for you, agreed, on condition that Mrs. Octagon refuse to let +Miss Saxon marry you. But, in any case, Mrs. Octagon hates +your uncle too much to allow her daughter to become your wife. +You will never get Mrs. Octagon's consent unless I help you." + +"You!" echoed Mallow, astonished and annoyed. "What possible +influence can you have with Mrs. Octagon. I have certainly +seen you at her house, but I scarcely think you know her well +enough--" + +"Oh, yes, I do." Hale rose in his earnestness. "See here, +sir; I love Maraquito and I wish to marry her." + +"You can, so far as I am concerned," + +"So you say," said Hale bitterly, "but you cannot be ignorant +that Maraquito loves you." + +"I don't see what that has to do with our conversation," +replied Mallow, growing red and restless. + +"It has everything to do with the matter. I want to marry +Maraquito, as I am rich and deeply in love with her. She +would have become my wife long ago but that you crossed her +path. Lord knows why she should love a commonplace man like +you, but she does." + +"Isn't that rather personal?" said Mallow dryly. + +"I beg your pardon. But what I wish to say is this. If you +marry Miss Saxon and place yourself beyond Maraquito's reach, +I will be able to induce her to marry me. Our interests are +bound up together. Now, to do this you must have Mrs. +Octagon's consent. I can get it." + +"In what way?" + +"She loves Basil, her son, more than she does herself," went +on Hale, paying no attention to the remark. "To save him she +would do much." + +"To save him from what?" + +"Basil;" continued the lawyer, still not noticing the +interruption, "is a young fool. He thought himself sure of +Miss Loach's money--and he was until a week before she died. +Then he came to Rose Cottage and insulted her--" + +"I have heard that. She ordered him out of the house." + +"She did. Miss Loach was a bitter, acrid old woman when the +fit took her. However, Basil insulted her so grossly that she +made a new will and left all the money to Miss Saxon. Now it +happens that Basil, to supply himself with funds, when his +aunt refused to aid his extravagance further, forged her name +to a bill--What's the matter?" + +"Nothing," said Mallow, who had started from his chair, "only +your intelligence is sufficiently unpleasant." + +"I can understand that," sneered the lawyer, "since you wish +to marry his sister. You don't want a forger for a +brother-in-law." + +"Who does?" said Cuthbert, not telling that he was thinking of +Basil in connection with a still darker crime. "Go on, Mr. +Hale." + +"The bill fell into my hands. When Miss Saxon got the money +she transferred the business to her own lawyer. I had to give +the bill up." + +"Ah!" said Mallow meaningly, "I see now the hold you had over +Basil." + +"Yes, that was my hold. I did not want to give up the bill. +But it had been met, and as Miss Loach is dead, there was a +difficulty in proving the signature to be a forgery. I +therefore gave the bill to Miss Saxon. She knew of her +brother's guilt--" + +"I see--I see," murmured Cuthbert, wondering if she had been +shielding Basil as well as him. "My poor girl!" + +"She is a brave girl," said Hale, in a voice of reluctant +admiration. "She met me and fought for her brother. I gave +way, as I did not wish to make trouble. Why, it doesn't +matter. However, you see how things stand. Basil is a +forger. If his mother knew that he was in danger of being +arrested she would consent to your marriage, and then I might +marry Maraquito. I have come here to tell you this." + +"But if Miss Saxon has the bill, and there is a difficulty of +proving the signature, owing to Miss Loach's death, I don't +see--" + +"Ah, not in this case. But Basil Saxon forged my name also. +I hold a forged check. I met it and said nothing about it. +Basil, thinking because his sister held the bill that he was +out of my power, was most insolent. But I said nothing of the +check which he thought I never detected. The more fool he. +He must have a fine opinion of my business capacity. However, +as the check is only for fifty hounds, he probably thought +that it would escape my notice. Well, you see how I can force +Mrs. Octagon's hand. What do you say?" + +Mallow put his hands to his head quite bewildered by the +information. + +"You must give me time to think," he said, "but if I +consent--" + +"You marry Miss Saxon. I ask no reward for my services. All +I want is to get you out of my way as regards Maraquito. I +will give you the forged check on the day you wed Miss Saxon. +I can see," added Hale, rising, "that you are somewhat upset +with this news, and no wonder. You never thought Basil was +such a scoundrel." + +"I thought him a fool, never a knave." + +"My dear sir, he is a thoroughly bad man," said Hale +cynically, "though I daresay other people are just as bad. +However, I will give you a week to think over the matter. +Good-night." + +"Good-night," said Mallow, touching the bell, but without +meeting the gaze of Hale, "I will think over what you have +said." + +"You will find it to your advantage to do so," replied Hale, +and went out of the room at the heels of the servant. + +Mallow remained where he was in deep thought. It was terrible +to think that the brother of Juliet should be such a scamp. A +forger and perhaps something else. Here, indeed, was a motive +for Miss Loach to meet with her death at her nephew's hand. +Probably on the night in question she threatened to let the +law take its course, and then Basil--but at this point of +his meditations a ring came at the door. In a few moments +Cuthbert heard a step he knew and rose with an agitated air. +Basil entered the room. + +The young man was carefully dressed as usual in his rather +affected way, but his face was pale and he seemed uneasy. "I +see you have had a visit from Hale," he said, trying to appear +at his ease. + +"How do you know that?" asked Mallow abruptly, and declining +to see the proffered hand. + +"I saw Hale enter a cab as I came up the stairs," said Basil, +drawing back; "and even had I not seen him I would know that +he has been telling you a lot of lies because you refuse to +shake hands." + +"Are they lies?" + +"Ah, then, he has been talking. He is my enemy. He comes +here to do me harm," said Basil, his eyes flashing. + +"He came here as your friend," replied Mallow abruptly, "Hale +wishes me to marry your sister. He offers to hand over to me +a certain check if I marry her." + +"I don't know what you are talking about," cried Basil +petulantly, and threw himself into a chair, very pale. + +"I think you know very well. Why have you come here?" + +Basil looked sullen. "I want you to marry Juliet also. And I +came to say that I thought I could get my mother to take that +money and to withdraw her opposition." + +"So that you may have the fingering of the money?" + +"Oh, I suppose she will give me some," said Basil airily, and +began to roll a cigarette with deft fingers. + +Mallow was enraged at this coolness. "Basil, you are a +scoundrel!" + +"Am I, indeed? Nice words to use to your future relative." + +"How do you know I will ever be your relative. Suppose I +refuse Hale's demand, and let him proceed on this check?" + +Basil's cigarette dropped our of his hand. "I don't know what +check you mean," he declared with alarm, "there was a bill-- +I couldn't help myself. My aunt--" + +"Gave you a lot of money and you repaid her by forging her +name. But you also forged Hale's name." + +"Ah, I know what you mean now. It was only for fifty pounds." + +"Had it been for fifty pence the crime is the same," said +Mallow vehemently, "why did you not let me help you? I +offered to. But you preferred to commit a crime." + +"Such a fuss to make," muttered the youth discontentedly, "the +bill is in the possession of Juliet, and no steps can be taken +on that. If mother accepts this six thousand a year, she will +buy the check back from Hale. He's a scoundrel and will do +anything for money. Then you can marry Juliet, and I can go +abroad for a few years on an income of three thousand. Mother +will allow me that." + +The coolness of this speech almost took Mallow's breath away. +The man did not seem to be at all affected by his crime. So +long as he was not found out he appeared to think nothing +about the matter. "And I know you will marry Juliet," +proceeded Basil, "you love her too well to give her up." + +"That is true enough," said Cuthbert, who, having already +spared him too long, now determined to punish him, "but I may +love her so well that I may not wish to buy her." + +"What do you mean by buying her?" demanded Basil sulkily. + +"What I say. Is it only to save you that I am to marry +Juliet? My marriage must be one of love--" + +"She does love you. And I don't see," added Basil +complainingly, "why you should jump on a chap for wishing for +your happiness--" + +"And your own safety." + +"Oh, bosh! The bill is destroyed. Juliet put it into the +fire, and Hale will sell the check at his own price." + +"His price is that I am to marry Juliet." + +"So that he can marry Maraquito, I suppose. I know that she +loves you and that Hale is crazy about her. It's very hard on +me," whined the egotistical youth, "for I want to marry her +myself, only mother put her spoke in my wheel." + +"Dare you offer yourself to Maraquito, bad as she is, knowing +what you are?" cried Mallow, fairly disgusted. + +"Oh, the forgeries. What of them? It's nothing." Basil +snapped his fingers. "Maraquito won't mind. But I suppose +I'll have to give her up on account of that infernal check. +Such a small one as it was too. I wish I had made it one +hundred and fifty. I could have done so." + +In the face of this callous behavior it was sheer wrongdoing +to spare the man. "I do not allude to the forgery, though +that is bad enough," said Cuthbert, glancing round to see that +the door was closed, "but to the murder of your aunt. You +killed her." + +Basil leaped from his chair with great indignation. "I did +not. How dare you accuse me?" he panted. + +"Because I have proofs." + +"Proofs?" Basil dropped back as though he had been shot. + +"Yes. I learned from my man that you took the bowie knife +which used to hang on the wall yonder. He saw you take it, +and thought you had received my permission. You went to the +Marlow Theatre with your sister. You left her in the box and +went out after eight o'clock. You went to Rexton to Rose +Cottage. After Clancy left the house your aunt admitted you +and you killed her--" + +"I swear I did not!" said Basil, perfectly white and +trembling. + +"You did, you liar! Juliet followed you to the cottage." + +"Juliet? She did not know I had gone." + +"Ah! you see, you were there. Yes, she said she went in order +to try and make it up between your aunt and you. But I +believe now she went to see if you were committing a crime. I +am not aware how much Juliet knows of your wickedness, Basil, +but--" + +"She knows only about the forgery. I was not at the cottage." + +Mallow made a weary gesture. "Why do you tell these +falsehoods?" he said with scorn. "Juliet entered the cottage +by means of her latch-key. She found Miss Loach dead and the +knife on the floor. You dropped it there. She came out and +saw a man of my height--which you are, and of my appearance +(you are not unlike me at a distance) climbing the wall into +the park. He had on alight overcoat--my overcoat. Juliet +thought I was the man. I did not say no. But the moment she +mentioned the coat I knew it was you. You borrowed the coat +from me, and returned it the other day. Now then--" + +"Stop! stop!" cried Basil, rising with pale lips and shaking +hands, "I admit that I went to Rexton on that night, but I +swear I am innocent." + +"Pah!" cried Mallow, thinking this was another lie, and a +weak one too. + +Basil seized him by the arm. "Mallow, I swear by all that I +hold most sacred that I did not kill Aunt Selina. I own I +took the knife. I wished to frighten her into giving me +money. I left the theatre in order to go to Rexton. I +thought I might be spotted if I came by the lane. I climbed +the wall of the park on the other side after nine, some time +after nine. I was crossing when a man chased me. I don't +know who it was. I could not see in the bushes, and the night +was rather dark at the moment, though clear later. I dropped +the knife, it fell out of my pocket, and I scrambled over the +wall and bolted." + +"Then how did Juliet see you shortly before eleven?" + +"I came back for the knife. I thought it might be traced to +you and that you might get into trouble. Really I did," said +Basil, seeing Mallow make a gesture of dissent. "I came back +by the railway path, and along by the corn. Where Juliet +could have been, I don't know. I climbed the wall and crossed +the park. I could not find the knife where I thought I had +dropped it, near the house. I then climbed the opposite wall +and got away home. Next day I heard of the death and went +down to look for the knife again. I never thought she had +been killed with that knife, as no weapon was found. Juliet +said nothing to me about the matter--" + +"No. Because she thought the knife was mine, as it is, and +that I was the man who climbed the wall. I was on the spot. +I remember telling you that, when we met in the street, and +you were afraid. I see now why you asked me if I had been in +the park at night." + +"I thought you might have spotted me. When were you there?" + +"About twenty minutes past ten." + +"Well, then, I was there at ten or a few minutes later. I got +away from the man who chased me some time before you came. It +was, as you say, at a quarter to eleven when I came back, and +by that time I suppose you had gone." + +"I went over the opposite wall as you did," said Cuthbert, "we +must have run each other very close." + +"I expect we were in different parts of the park," said Basil, +"but I swear that I am telling you the truth. I said nothing +about this, as I was afraid of being arrested. But, if you +like, I'll tell that detective Jennings what I told you. He +will help me." + +"My advice to you is to hold your tongue and keep silent." + +"But if I am traced?" stammered Basil. + +"I shall say nothing," said Mallow, "and Jennings has dropped +the case. I shall get the check from Hale, and you must go +abroad. I believe you are innocent." + +"Oh, thank you--thank you--" + +"But you are a scoundrel for all that. When I get you sent +abroad and marry your sister, neither she nor I will have +anything to do with you. And if you come back to England, +look out." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +AN EXPERIMENT + + +Next day Cuthbert received a letter from Jennings. It +intimated that Maraquito wished to see him that evening. "If +you will call at nine o'clock," wrote the detective, "she will +be alone. The police have decided to close the +gambling-house, and she is making preparations to leave +England. I understand she has something to tell you in +connection with the death of Miss Loach, which it is as well +you should hear. A confession on her part may save you a lot +of trouble in the future." + +Mallow hesitated to obey this summons. He thought it was +strange that Maraquito should get the detective to write to +him, as he knew she mistrusted the man. And, apart from this, +he had no wish to see Senora Gredos again. Things were now +smooth between him and Juliet--comparatively so--and it +would not do to rouse the girl's jealousy. Maraquito was a +dangerous woman, and if he paid her a solitary visit, he might +fall into some snare which she was quite capable of laying. +Such was her infatuation, that he knew she would stop at +nothing to gain her ends. + +On the other hand, Maraquito, to all appearances, knew of +something in connection with the case which it behooved him to +learn if he wished for peace in the future. So far as Mallow +knew, the matter was at an end. He believed that Jennings had +shelved the affair, and that no further inquiries would be +made. This belief calmed his anxiety, as he greatly desired +to save Basil Saxon from arrest. Certainly, the young scamp +protested his innocence, and told a plausible tale, but he was +such a liar that Mallow could not be satisfied. He might be +innocent as he said, yet the facts of the visit to the +cottage, the possession of the knife and of the overcoat which +he wore when seen by Juliet, hinted at his guilt. Also the +forged bill and check might implicate him in the matter. Did +Jennings learn of these things, he would certainly arrest +Saxon on suspicion, and, for Juliet's sake, Cuthbert did not +wish such a thing to happen. + +It struck Mallow that Hale might have confided in Maraquito, +with whom he was in love. Being unscrupulous, she would +probably use this information, and might threaten to denounce +Basil, to the subsequent disgrace of Juliet, if Cuthbert +refused to marry her. Taking these things into consideration, +Mallow decided that it would be best to pay the visit and +learn what Maraquito had to say. + +It was a wild, blustering evening, rainy and damp. When +Mallow stepped out of the door he shivered as the keen wind +whistled down the street. Few people were abroad, as they +preferred, very sensibly, the comfort of a fireside to the +windy, gleaming thoroughfares. Wishing his visit to be as +secret as possible, Mallow walked to Soho and turned into +Golden Square shortly before the appointed hour. He did not +expect a pleasant interview, as Maraquito was an uncivilized +sort of woman with little control over her very violent +emotions. Altogether, he anticipated a disagreeable quarter +of an hour. + +He was admitted smilingly by a woman, and noticed with some +surprise that Gibber the page was not at his accustomed post. +But he put this down to the fact that there was no gambling on +this particular evening. The windows of the great salon were +dark, and Senora Gredos received him in a small apartment +which she used as a sitting-room. Her couch was drawn up +close to the fire, and she appeared to be in better health +than usual. Standing at the door, Mallow thought she made a +pretty picture. She had on a white wrapper trimmed with gold +lace, and as usual, wore a profusion of jewelry. Across the +lower part of the couch was flung a gorgeous purple coverlet +of eastern manufacture, and what with the brilliant colors and +the glitter of precious stones, she looked remarkably eastern +herself. Mallow noticed particularly how Jewish she was in +appearance, and wondered how he could have been so blind as +not to have remarked it before. The room looked cheerful and +warm, and was welcome after the chilly, dreary streets. +Mallow, having taken off his overcoat in the hall, came +forward and bowed somewhat formally, but Maraquito was not to +be put off with so frigid a greeting. Holding out both hands, +she shook his warmly and pointed to a chair near her couch. +It was now a few minutes after nine. + +"How good of you to come and see me," she said in her deep, +rich voice. "The evening was so dull." + +"You are not having any play this evening?" + +Maraquito shrugged her fine shoulders and unfurled a quite +unnecessary fan, which, to keep up her fiction of being a +Spanish lady, she always carried. "Some idiot told the police +what was going on and I received a notice to close." + +"But the police knew long ago." + +"Not officially. The police can be silent when it suits. And +I always kept things very quiet here. I can't understand why +any objection should be made. I suspect that man Jennings +told." + +"I thought you liked him." + +"Oh, I fancied he was a friend of yours and so I made the best +of him. But, to tell you the truth, Mr. Mallow, I always +mistrusted him. He is much too fond of asking questions for +my taste. Then Mr. Hale told me that the man was a detective, +so I understood his unwarrantable curiosity. I shall have +nothing to do with him in future." + +"In that case," said Mallow, anxious to arrive at the truth, +"I wonder you employ him to write letters for you." + +The woman raised herself on one rounded elbow and looked +surprised at this speech. "Really, I don't think I am so +foolish," said she dryly. "Why do you say that?" + +Mallow looked puzzled. "Jennings wrote me a letter, asking me +to come here this evening at nine. He said you wished to see +me." + +Maraquito's eyes flashed. "I always wish to see you," she +said, sinking her voice to a tender tone, "and I am much +obliged that Mr. Jennings' note should have brought you here. +But I gave him no authority to write it." + +"Have you seen Jennings lately?" asked Cuthbert, more and more +puzzled. + +"A few nights ago. But he said nothing about you. He simply +played cards for a time and then took himself off." + +"Are you leaving England?" + +"I am. Being an invalid as you see, I have no amusement but +card-playing. Now that the Puritan authorities have stopped +that, I cannot stay in this dull country to be bored. But who +told you?" + +"Jennings said you were making preparations to leave." + +"In this letter he wrote you?" asked Maraquito, frowning. + +"Yes. I am sorry I did not bring the letter with me. But I +can show it to you on another occasion. He also said you had +something to tell me." + +Maraquito fastened her brilliant eyes on his face. "Mr. +Jennings seems to know much about my affairs and to take a +deep interest in them. But I assure you, I never gave him any +authority to meddle." + +"Then why did he write and bring me here?" + +Senora Gredos frowned and then her face cleared. "The man is +such a secretive creature that I don't trust him," she said; +"and yet he declared himself to be my friend. He knows I like +you, and hinted that he should be glad to bring us together." + +"Jennings is a gentleman in spite of his profession," said +Mallow in cutting tones. "I scarcely think he would take so +great a liberty." + +"Is it a liberty?" asked Maraquito softly. + +"I consider it to be one. Jennings knows that I am engaged." + +"Stop!" she cried, gripping her fan so tightly that her +knuckles grew white. "Do you dare to tell me this?" + +"Senora--Maraquito--don't let us have a scene. I told you +before that I could not give you the love you asked." + +"And I told you that I would have that love in spite of your +unwillingness," said the woman doggedly. "You have scorned +me, and I ought to have sufficient pride to let you go your +own way. But I am such an infatuated fool that I am content +to let you tread on me." + +"I have no wish to do that, but--" + +"You do--you do--you do!" she said, vehemently. "Why can +you not love me? I would be a better wife than that doll you--" + +"Drop that, Maraquito. Leave Miss Saxon's name out of the +question." + +"I shall talk of Miss Saxon as long as I like," cried +Maraquito, snapping the fan and growing flushed. "You scorn +me because I am an invalid--" + +"I do not. If you were perfectly restored to health I would +give you the same answer." Mallow was on his feet by this +time. "I think it would be wise of me to go." + +But Senora Gredos, stretching out her hand, caught him by the +coat convulsively. "No! no! no!" she muttered fiercely. "I +did not ask you to come here. I did not send for you. But +now that you are here, you will stop. We must understand one +another." + +"We do understand one another," said Cuthbert, who was growing +angry at this unreasonable attitude. "You must know that I am +engaged to Miss Saxon!" + +"You will never marry her--never!" cried Maraquito +passionately; "oh, cruel man, can you not see that I am dying +of love for you." + +"Maraquito--" + +"If I were not chained to this couch," she said between her +teeth, "I should go after her and throw vitriol in her face. +I would give her cause to repent having lured you from me with +her miserable doll's face. Pah! the minx!" + +Cuthbert grew really angry. "How dare you speak like this?" +he said. "If you were able to attack Miss Saxon in the vile +way you say, I should show you no mercy." + +"What would you do--what would you do?" she panted. + +"Put you in jail. That sort of thing may do abroad but we +don't allow it here. I thought you were merely a foolish +woman. Now I know you are bad and wicked." + +"Cuthbert--Cuthbert." + +"My name is Mallow to you, Senora Gredos. I'll go now and +never see you again. I was foolish to come here." + +"Wait--wait," she cried savagely, "it is just as well that +you are here--just as well that we should come to an +understanding." + +"There can be no understanding. I marry Miss Saxon and--" + +"Never, never, never! Listen, I can ruin her--" + +"What do you mean?" + +"Her brother--" + +"Oh, Basil, I know all about that." + +Maraquito threw herself back on her couch, evidently baffled. +"What do you know?" she demanded sullenly. + +"That you are about to accuse him of the death of Miss Loach." + +"Yes, I do. He killed her. There is a forged bill in--" + +"I know all about that also," said Cuthbert, making a gesture +for her to be silent. "If you hope to stop my marriage with +Miss Saxon by such means, you have wasted your time," he moved +again towards the door. "It is time this interview ended," he +said. + +"Why did you seek it then?" she flashed out. + +"I did not. Jennings wrote, asking me to call and see you. I +understood that you had something to say to me." + +"I have much--though how that detestable man knew I can't +think. But I can disgrace that doll of a girl through her +brother." + +"No, you cannot. Basil is perfectly innocent of murder." + +"You have to prove that," she sneered, her features quivering +and one white hand clutching the purple drapery, "and you know-- +so you say, that Basil is a forger." + +"He is a fool. I don't condone his folly, but his sister +shall not suffer on his account. The bill to which Miss +Loach's name was forged is in the possession of Miss Saxon-- +in fact I may tell you that Basil himself assured me it had +been destroyed." + +"Of course he would say that," scoffed Maraquito, her eyes +flashing, "but the check to which Hale's name is affixed is not +destroyed, and Hale shall proceed on that." + +"Hale shall not do so," said Cuthbert resolutely. He did not +wish to betray Hale's confidence, as a confession would entail +the man's loss of the woman he loved. But it was necessary to +stop Maraquito somehow; and Cuthbert attempted to do so in his +next words, which conveyed a distinct threat. "And you will +not move in the matter." + +Maraquito laughed in an evil manner. "Won't I?" she taunted. +"I just will. Hale will do what I want, and he will have +Basil arrested unless you promise to give up this girl and +marry me." + +"Hale will do nothing, neither will you," retorted Cuthbert. +"I don't care about threatening a woman, but you must not +think that you are able to play fast and loose with me." + +"How can you hurt me?" asked Maraquito with a scornful smile, +although her lips quivered at his tone. + +"I can tell Jennings that you are Bathsheba Saul!" + +She turned quite pale. "I? My name is Maraquito Gredos." + +"It is nothing of the sort. My uncle Lord Caranby came here +and recognized you from your likeness to the woman Emilia he +was once engaged to. He can state that in court." + +"Where is his proof?" + +"Proof will be forthcoming when necessary." + +"Not to prove that I am Bathsheba Saul. I know nothing of the +name." + +Cuthbert shrugged his shoulders. He had said what was +necessary and, unwilling to speak further, prepared to go. +Maraquito saw him slipping from her grasp. Once gone, she +knew he would never come back. With a cry of despair she +stretched out her hands. "Cuthbert, do not leave me!" she +cried in anguish. + +"I must leave you. I was foolish to come. But you know now, +that if you move in this matter I can move too. I doubt very +much, madam, if your past life will bear looking into." + +"You coward!" she moaned. + +"I know I am a coward," said Mallow uncomfortably; "it is not +my way to threaten a woman--I said that before. But I love +Juliet so much that at any cost I must protect her." + +"And my love counts for nothing." + +"I am sorry, Maraquito, but I cannot respond. A man's heart +is not his own to give." + +"Nor a woman's," she moaned bitterly; "oh, heaven, how I +suffer. Help!" + +Cuthbert heard footsteps ascending the stairs--the light +footsteps of a hasty man. But Maraquito's head had fallen +back, her face was as white as snow and her mouth was twisted +in an expression of anguish. She seemed to be on the point of +death, and moved by her pain--for she really appeared to be +suffering, he sprang forward to catch her in his arms. Had he +not done so she would have fallen from the sofa. But hardly +had he seized her form when she flung her arms round his neck +and pressed her mouth to his. Then she threw back her head, +not now white, but flushed with color and triumph. "I have +you now," she said breathlessly. "I love you--I love you-- +I will not let you go!" + +What Cuthbert would have done it is hard to say. Apparently +Maraquito was determined to hold him there. But at this +moment Jennings appeared at the door. On seeing him arrive so +unexpectedly, Maraquito uttered a cry of rage and dismay, and +released Mallow. "Send him away--send him away!" she cried, +pointing to Jennings, who looked cold and stern. "How dare he +come here." + +"I come on an unpleasant errand," said Jennings, stepping +forward. "I want you, Mallow!" + +Cuthbert, who had moved forward, stopped. "Why do you want +me?" + +Jennings placed his hand on the young man's shoulder. "I +arrest you on the charge of murdering Selina Loach!" + +Maraquito uttered a shriek, and Cuthbert's face grew red. The +latter spoke first. "Is this a jest?" he asked harshly. + +"You will not find it so." + +"Let me pass. I refuse to allow you to arrest me." + +Jennings still continued to keep his hand on Cuthbert's +shoulder, whereupon the young man flung it aside. At the +same moment Jennings closed with him, and a hand-to-hand +struggle ensued. Maraquito, with straining eyes, watched +the fight. With stiffened muscles the two reeled across +the room. Cuthbert was almost too amazed to fight. That +Jennings should accuse him and attack him in this way was +incredible. But his blood was up and he wrestled with the +detective vigorously. He was an excellent athlete, but +Jennings was a west-country-man and knew all that was to +be known about wrestling. With a quick twist of his foot +he tripped up his opponent, and in a minute Cuthbert was +lying on his back with Jennings over him. The two men +breathed hard. Cuthbert struggled to rise, but Jennings +held him down until he was suddenly dragged away by +Maraquito, who was watching the fight eagerly. There she +stood in the centre of the room which she had reached with a +bound. + +"I thought so," said Jennings, releasing Mallow and rising +quickly. + +Maraquito threw a small knife at Cuthbert's feet. "Kill him-- +kill him!" she said with hysterical force. + +"There is no need to," said the detective, feeling his arms, +which were rather sore. "Mallow, I beg your pardon for having +fought you, but I knew you would not lend yourself to a +deception, and the only way in which I could force this lady +to show that she was able to walk was by a feigned fight." + +"Then you don't intend to arrest me?" said Mallow, rising and +staring. + +"Never had any idea of doing so," rejoined Jennings coolly. +"I wished to learn the truth about Mrs. Herne." + +"Mrs. Herne!" + +"Or Maraquito Gredos or Bathsheba Saul. She has a variety of +names, my dear fellow. Which one do you prefer?" he asked, +turning to the discovered woman. + +Maraquito looked like the goddess of war. Her eyes flashed +and her face was red with anger. Standing in a striking +attitude, with one foot thrust forward, her active brain was +searching for some means of escape. "I don't know what you +mean by calling me these names!" + +"I mean that you are to be arrested. You are Mrs. Herne. +Your accident was merely a sham to avert suspicion." + +"Mrs. Herne is my aunt." + +"Pardon me, no. The only aunt you ever had was Emilia Saul, +who died in Caranby's house. In our interview at Hampstead +you betrayed yourself when we talked of Mallow. I had you +watched. You were seen to enter this house, and out of it +Mrs. Herne never came. Your servants do not know Mrs. Herne-- +only their invalid mistress." + +Maraquito, seeing her danger, panted with rage, and looked +like a trapped animal. "Even if this is true, which I deny," +she said in a voice tremulous with rage, "how dare you arrest +me, and for what?" + +"For setting that boy Gibber to poison the man who called +himself Tyke. The lad has left your service--which means he +is in hiding." + +"I know nothing about this," said Maraquito, suddenly becoming +cool. "Do you mean to arrest me now?" + +"I have the warrant and a couple of plain-dress detectives +below. You can't escape." + +"I have no wish to escape," she retorted, moving towards a +door which led into an inner room. "I can meet and dispose of +this ridiculous charge. The doctor told me that a sudden +shock might bring back my strength. And that it has done. I +am not Mrs. Herne--I am not Bathsheba Saul. I am Maraquito +Gredos, a Spanish lady--" + +"Who doesn't know her own language," said Jennings. + +"I pass over your insults," said the woman with dignity. "But +as you intend to take me away, will you please let me enter my +bedroom to change my dress?" + +Jennings drew aside and permitted her to pass. "I am not +afraid you will escape," he said politely. "If you attempt to +leave you will fall into the hands of my men. They watch +every door." + +Maraquito winced, and with a last look at the astounded +Mallow, passed into the room. When she shut the door Mallow +looked at Jennings. "I don't know what all this means," he +said. + +"I have told you," replied Jennings, rather impatiently, "the +letter I sent you was to bring you here. The struggle was a +feigned one on my side to make Maraquito defend you. I knew +she would never let you be worsted if she could help; exactly +as I knew you would never consent to play such a trick on +her." + +"Certainly not. With all her faults, she loves me." + +"So well that she will kill Juliet Saxon rather than see her +in your arms. Don't frown, Mallow, Maraquito is a dangerous +woman, and it is time she was laid by the heels. You don't +know what I have found out." + +"Have you learned who killed Miss Loach?" + +"No. But I am on the way to learn it. I'll tell you +everything another time. Meanwhile, I must get this woman +safely locked up. Confound her, she is a long time." + +"She may have escaped," said Mallow, as Jennings knocked at +the door. + +"I don't see how she can. There are men at the front door and +at a secret entrance she used to enter as Mrs. Herne." He +knocked again, but there was no reply. Finally Jennings grew +exasperated and tried to open the door. It was locked. "I +believe she is escaping," he said, "help me, Mallow." + +The two men put their shoulders to the door and burst it in. +When they entered the bedroom it was empty. There was no sign +of Maraquito anywhere, and no sign, either, of how she had +managed to evade the law. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE SECRET ENTRANCE + + +AS may be guessed, Jennings was very vexed that Maraquito had +escaped. He had posted his men at the front and back doors +and also at the side entrance through which Senora Gredos in +her disguise as Mrs. Herne had entered. He never considered +for the moment that so clever a woman might have some way of +escape other than he had guessed. "Yet I might have thought +it," he said, when Cuthbert and he left the house. "I expect +that place is like a rabbit-burrow. Maraquito always expected +to be taken some day in spite of her clever assumption of +helplessness. That was a smart dodge." + +"How did you learn that she was shamming?" + +"I only guessed so. I had no proof. But when I interviewed +the pseudo Mrs. Herne at her Hampstead lodgings, she betrayed +so much emotion when speaking of you that I guessed it was the +woman herself. I only tried that experiment to see if she was +really ill. If she had not moved I should have been done." + +"It seems to me that you are done now," said Cuthbert angrily. +He was not very pleased at the use Jennings had made of him. + +"By no means. Maraquito will take refuge in a place I know +of. She does not fancy I am aware of its existence. But I am +on my way there now. You can come also if you like." + +"No," said Mallow decisively, "so far as I am concerned, I +have no further interest in these matters. I told you so the +other day." + +"Don't you wish to know who killed Miss Loach?" + +Mallow hesitated, and wondered how much the detective knew. +"Have you any clue to the assassin?" he asked. + +Jennings shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say that. But I +suspect the coiners have something to do with the matter." + +"The coiners?" + +"Ah! I know you have not learned much about them. I have no +time now to talk, but you will see everything in the papers +shortly. I can tell you, Mallow, there's going to be a row." + +Mallow, like all young Englishmen, was fond of fighting, and +his blood was at once afire to join in, but, on second +thoughts, he resolved to stick to his original determination +and stay away. It would be better, he thought, to let +Jennings carry out his plans unhampered. In order, therefore, +to preserve Basil's secret, Mallow nodded to the detective and +went home. That night he spent wondering what had become of +Maraquito. + +Meantime, Jennings, with a dozen men, was on his way to +Rexton. It was now after eleven, and the clock struck the +half hour as they landed at Rexton Station. The police force +of the suburb had been notified of the raid about to be made, +and Inspector Twining was on the spot. He guided the party +through the side path which terminated near Rose Cottage. The +night was dark and rainy, but there were occasional gleams of +moonlight. There was no light in the windows of Rose Cottage, +and everything appeared to be quiet. Behind loomed the ruins +of the unfinished house beneath which was the coining factory. + +On the way to the spot Jennings conversed with Twining in low +tones and detailed his experience with Maraquito. + +"I am quite sure that she has gone to the factory," he said; +"she does not think that I know about it. I fancy she will +tell her pals that the game is up and the lot will light out +for America." + +"They may have gone by this time," suggested the inspector. + +"I don't think so. Maraquito must have just arrived, if +indeed she has come here. Besides, she will never guess that +I know how to get into the place, or indeed think that I know +of its existence." + +"How did you guess?" + +"Guess is a good word. I just did guess, Twining. From +various facts which there is no time to tell you, I became +convinced that there was a factory in existence. Also I +fancied that the death of that old lady was connected with the +preservation of the secret. But I only got at the hard facts +the other day, when a girl called Grant--" + +"I remember. She gave evidence at the inquest." + +"Precisely. Well, she brought me some plans belonging to her +father which she found. He was engaged in a quiet job +hereabouts five years ago, and died when it was finished. He +was poisoned with arsenic." + +"What! like that man Tyke?" + +"Yes. The person who runs this show--Maraquito, I think-- +evidently has a partiality for that extremely painful poison. +Well, this workman having constructed the secret entrance, was +got out of the way by death, so that the secret might be +preserved. And I guess Miss Loach was settled also in case +she might give the alarm." + +"But if the secret entrance is in the cottage," said Twining, +"this old woman may have been aware of its existence." + +"Certainly, and was about to split when she was killed. At +least, that is my theory." + +"She must have been in with the gang." + +"I have never been able to fix that," said Jennings +thoughtfully. "I know she was a lady and of good birth. Also +she had money, although she condemned herself to this +existence as a hermit. Why she should let Maraquito and her +lot construct a secret entrance I can't understand. However, +we'll know the truth to-night. But you can now guess, +Twining, how the bell came to be sounded." + +"No, I can't," said the inspector, promptly. + +"I forgot. You don't know that the secret entrance is in the +room where Miss Loach was murdered. Well, one of the gang, +after the death, sounded the bell to call attention to the +corpse, and then slipped away before Susan Grant could get to +the room." + +"But why should this person have sounded the bell?" + +"That is what I have to find out. There's a lot to learn +here." + +"Have you any idea who killed Miss Loach?" + +"Maraquito, under the disguise of Mrs. Herne." + +"Was she Mrs. Herne?" + +"Yes. She masqueraded as an invalid who could not leave her +couch, but I managed to get at the truth to-night." + +"But from the evidence at the inquest, Mrs. Herne was out of +the house when the blow was struck." + +"Quite so: But we did not know of this secret entrance then. +I fancy she came back--" + +"But how can you--" + +"There's no more time to talk," interrupted Jennings. "We +must get to work as soon as possible. Order your men to +surround the house." + +"And the park also?" + +"We have not enough men for that. And I don't think there's +any other exit from the factory save that through Rose +Cottage. If there was, Maraquito and her two friends would +not have played whist so persistently with Miss Loach every +night." + +"It was three times a week, I think." + +"Well, it doesn't matter. Here we are." Jennings opened the +garden gate and walked boldly up the path towards the silent +house. The men, under the low-spoken directions of Twining, +spread themselves round the house so as to arrest any coiner +who might attempt escape. Then the detective rang the bell. +There was no answer for a few minutes. He rang again. + +A window in the cottage was opened cautiously, and the head of +Mrs. Pill, in a frilled nightcap of gigantic size, was thrust +out. "Is that you, Thomas, coming home at this late hour the +worse for drink, you idle wretch, and me almost dead with want +of sleep." + +"It's a message from your husband, Mrs. Barnes," said +Jennings, signing to Twining to keep out of sight. "Come and +open the door, and I'll tell you what has happened." + +"Oh, lor! is Thomas gone the way of flesh?" wailed Mrs. +Barnes, formerly Pill. "Come to the cottage door." + +"No. Open this one," said Jennings, who had his own reasons +for this particular entrance being made use of. "You know me--" + +"Mr. Jennings, as was in the case of my pore, dear, dead lady. +Of course I knows you, sir, and the fact as you are police +makes me shudder to think as Thomas is jailed for drink. Wait +one moment, sir. I'll hurry on a petticoat and shawl. How +good of you to come, sir." + +When the window shut down, Jennings bent towards the +inspector, who was crouching on the other side of the steps. +"This woman is innocent," he whispered. "She knows nothing, +else she would not admit us so quickly." + +"It may be a blind, Jennings. She may have gone to give the +gang warning, you know." + +"I don't know," retorted the detective sharply. "I am quite +sure that Mrs. Barnes doesn't even know her husband Thomas is +one of the lot. I don't care if she does give warning either, +if your surmise is correct. All our men are round the house, +and if any of the gang escape we can collar them." + +"That is supposing there isn't another exit from the +unfinished house," muttered Twining, anxious to have the last +word. + +Mrs. Barnes appeared at the door in a brilliant red petticoat, +a white woollen shawl, and the cap aforesaid. Her feet were +thrust into carpet slippers and she carried a candle. "An' it +is good of you, sir, to come 'ere and tell me that Thomas is +in jail, he being-" + +"We can talk of that inside," said the detective, pushing past +her. "I suppose you don't mind my friend coming in." + +Mrs. Barnes almost dropped when she saw the second person, +especially when she noted the uniform. "It must be murder at +least," she wailed, almost dropping the candle in her fright; +"lor! do tell me, sir, that Thomas have not murdered anyone." + +"Lead us down to the sitting-room and we'll tell you, Mrs. +Barnes." + +"I can't do that, sir, Mr. Clancy may be 'ome any moment" + +"Isn't he at home now?" + +"Bless you, no, Mr. Jennings, he being fond of goin' out, not +that he's an old man, and why shouldn't he enjoy hisself. Not +that a woman could wish for a better lodger, though he only +bin 'ere a week or so, he givin' no trouble and havin' a +latch-key." + +"I want to see Mr. Clancy also," said Jennings impatiently, +while Twining turned on the electric light in the hall. "Take +us down to the basement." + +The woman would have objected again, but from the stern +expression on her visitors' faces she judged that it would be +wiser to obey. She descended, candle in hand, turning on the +lights as she went down. In the sitting-room she paused and +faced the detective. "Do tell me what's wrong, sir?" she +asked. "Thomas is a fool, but we're newly wed and I shouldn't +like anything to 'appen to 'im, though he do take fondly-like +to the bottle." + +"When did Thomas go out?" + +"At eight, and Mr. Clancy at nine, though Mr. Clancy havin' a +latch-key, don't give me trouble lettin' him in which Thomas +does." + +"Ah!" said Jennings, with a side-glance at the inspector, "so +your husband goes out often?" + +"He do, sir. Three times a week. I 'ave tried to break 'im +of these larky 'abits but he won't do what I arsks him. I +wish I'd stopped at bein' Pill," wailed Mrs. Barnes, wiping +her eyes. "An' if Thomas is drunk and bail bein' required--" + +"I don't know if your husband is drunk or sober," interrupted +Jennings. "We are on a different errand. Tell me, Mrs. +Barnes, do you know if Miss Loach had a secret entrance to +this room?" + +"Lor no, sir," cried the woman, casting a surprised glance +round, "whatever would she 'ave that for, pore dear?" + +"The furniture is oddly placed," said Twining. + +And indeed it was. Tables and chairs and sofa were ranged in +two lines on either side of the room, leaving the middle +portion bare. The floor was covered with a Turkey carpet down +the centre, but the sides of the floor were without covering. +Mrs. Barnes explained this. + +"Miss Loach liked to 'ave things straight this way for the +night, bein' of tidy 'abits. She thought the floor bein' +clear left the 'ousemaid, who was Geraldine, room to sweep and +dust thoroughly. Mr. Clancy 'ave the same fancy, though being +a man as tidy as ever was." + +"Strange Mr. Clancy should be tidy," said Jennings drily. "He +certainly is not so in his dress. Now the best thing you can +do, Mrs. Barnes, is to go to bed." + +"An' leave you 'ere," screeched the cook indignantly. "Why, +whatever would Mr. Clancy say, he being respectable." + +"Very good then, you can stop here. Stand on one side, +Twining, and you, Mrs. Barnes. Both of you stand on the bare +floor near the wall." + +Considerably surprised, Mrs. Barnes did as she was told, and +uttered a cry when she saw the floor begin to move. Jennings, +who was pressing a button at the end of the room, stopped. +"Take her upstairs, Twining. She will alarm the gang!" + +"Alarm who?" cried the cook, struggling with the inspector. +"Whatever do you mean? Shame--shame to 'old a defenceless +lady. 'Elp!" + +But her cries for help were unheeded. Twining bore her up the +stairs and summoned one of his men. In a few minutes Mrs. +Barnes was safely locked up in her own bedroom in the cottage, +a prey to terrors. Poor woman, being innocent, she could not +understand the meaning of this midnight visit, nor indeed the +mysterious moving of the floor. It had never happened so +before within her recollection. + +Twining came down with six men, leaving the others to guard +the exits from the house and garden. At the door of the +sitting-room he stopped at the head of those he was bringing. +At his feet yawned a gulf in which steps appeared. The whole +of the centre of the floor had disappeared into the wall +opposite to the fireplace, and the rough steps led down into a +kind of passage that ran in the direction of the unfinished +house. "This is the entrance," said Jennings, "it works from +a concealed button on the wall. Electricity is used. You see +why the sides of the floor are left bare; the carpet has quite +disappeared. But we have no time to lose," he jumped down +lightly. "Come along men, hurry up." + +"As we will be at a disadvantage, we may as well get our +barkers out," said the inspector, and the men produced +revolvers. Then they went into the burrow at the tail of the +intrepid Jennings. + +That gentleman stole along the narrow passage: It ran +straightly for a few yards and then took a turn to the right. +The ground continued to slope for some distance until it +terminated in a heavy door of wood. Jennings fancied this +might be locked, and felt a pang of disappointment. But it +proved to be merely closed to. Apparently the coiners were so +sure of their safety that they did not trouble to keep the +door locked. The detective opened it gently, and with the men +close at his heels stole forward. He held his revolver +lightly in his right hand, ready for emergencies. The passage +was quite dark, but being narrow, the men had no hesitation in +going forward. Some way down, after leaving the door, the +passage branched into two ways, for Jennings came against a +wall directly ahead. Wondering what this meant, he struck a +match, and the blue light revealed one passage running down to +the left and another opening up to the right. While the +detective hesitated which to take, the darkness was suddenly +illuminated with the glare of lamps. From a dozen electric +lights at the sides of the passage sprang a white glow. At +the further end of the sloping passage appeared the figure of +a man. He gave a shout when the figures of the police were +revealed in the sudden illumination and vanished suddenly. +There was not a moment to be lost. Jennings, crying to his +men, dashed ahead. As he neared the end of the burrow, for it +was nothing else, a pistol shot rang out and he felt as though +his shoulder had been pierced with a red-hot iron. But the +wound did not stop him. + +"Quick, men--quick! Some stop and guard the double way. +They will try and escape that way." + +His orders were obeyed with precision, and two men stopped +behind, while the rest, with Twining at their head, pressed +forward. They ran against another door, but it also was open, +as the watching man had not had time to close it. Through +this the police poured, and found themselves in a large, dry +cellar, brilliantly lighted. On every hand were the evidences +of the pursuits of the gang. But no one had time to take in +details. The startled and infuriated coiners were fighting for +their liberty. In a moment the lights were out, but not +before Jennings saw Clancy and Hale at the far end of the +cellar, with white faces and levelled revolvers. There were +other men also. Shots rang out, but in the darkness everyone +fired at random. The coiners strove to force their way to the +door, evidently anxious to gain the forked passage, so that +they could escape by one of the two exits. Twining uncovered +his lantern and flashed the light round. It converted him +into a target and he fell, shot through the heart by Hale. +The other men made a dash for liberty, but the police also +producing their lights, managed to seize them. At last Hale, +apparently seeing there was no chance of escaping in the +gloom, turned on the electric lights again, and the +illumination revealed a cellar filled with struggling men. +Jennings made for Clancy, as it struck him that this man, in +spite of the foolish look on his face, was the prime agent. +Clancy fired and missed. Then he strove to close with +Jennings. The latter hammered him over the head with the butt +of his revolver. Shouts and oaths came from the infuriated +thieves, but the police fought like bulldogs, with tenacious +courage, silent and grim. + +"Hold them--hold them!" cried Jennings, as he went down. + +"I'll do for you this time," said Hale between his teeth, and +flung himself forward, but Jennings struggled valiantly. The +coiner was over him, and trying to get at his revolver which +had fallen in the fight. Jennings waited till he stretched, +then fired upward. Hale gave a yell of agony, and throwing up +his arms, fell on one side. Wounded, and in great pain, +Jennings rose. He had just time to see Clancy in the grip of +two policemen, fighting desperately, when his senses left him +and he fainted. The shouts and oaths and shots rang out +wildly and confusedly as he lost consciousness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +A SCAMP'S HISTORY + + +When Jennings came to himself he was lying on a sofa in the +dining-room on the ground-floor of the villa. His shoulder +hurt him a trifle, but otherwise he felt well, though slightly +weak. The doctor was at his side. It was the same man who +had attended to the body of the late occupant of the house. + +"Are you feeling better?" said Doctor Slane, when he saw the +eyes of the detective open. "You had better remain here for a +time. Your men have secured the rascals--all five of them." + +"And Twining?" asked Jennings, trying to sit up. + +"He is dead--shot through the heart. Clancy killed him." + +"Then he'll swing for it," said Jennings in a stronger tone, +"we lose a good man in poor Twining. And Hale?" + +"You have wounded him severely in the lungs. I fear he will +die. We have put him in Mrs. Barnes' room on her bed. The +poor woman is wild with grief and terror. I suppose you know +her husband was amongst those rascals." + +"I thought as much. His going out was merely a blind. But I +must get up and look at the factory. Send Atkins to me." + +Atkins was the man next in command now that the inspector was +dead. + +The doctor tried to keep Jennings on his back, but the +detective would not listen. "There is much to do," he said, +rising unsteadily. "You have bound up my shoulder. I won't +lose any more blood." + +"You have lost a good deal already." + +"It's my business. We detectives have our battles to fight as +well as soldiers have theirs. Give me some brandy and send +Atkins." + +Seeing that the man was resolved, Slane gave him the drink and +went out. In a few minutes Atkins entered and saluted. +Jennings, after drinking the fiery spirit, felt much better, +and was fairly steady on his legs. "Did you see any women +amongst the men we took?" he asked. + +"No, sir," replied the other, "there were five men. Two are +wounded--one slightly, and the other--Hale--severely. +He wants to make a confession to you, and I have sent to the +office for a clerk to take down his words. Dr. Slane says he +will not live till morning." + +"He will cheat the law, I suppose," said Jennings, "give me +your arm, Atkins. I want to visit the factory." + +"Are you strong enough, sir?" + +"Quite strong enough. Don't bother," replied the other as a +twinge of pain made him wince. "We've made a good haul this +time." + +"You'll say that, sir, when you see the factory. It is the +most complete thing of its kind." + +"Tell the clerk when he arrives not to take down Hale's +confession till I arrive. I won't be more than a quarter of +an hour. Give me your arm when you return." + +Atkins departed on his errand, and Jennings sat down, +wondering what had become of Maraquito. He made sure she +would go to the factory, as being a place of refuge which the +police would find hard to discover. But, apparently, she had +taken earth in some other crib belonging to the gang. +However, he would have all the ports watched, and she would +find it hard to escape abroad. Maraquito was so striking a +woman that it was no easy matter for her to disguise herself. +And Jennings swore that he would capture her, for he truly +believed that she had killed Miss Loach, and was the prime +mover in the whole business. Hitherto she had baffled him by +her dexterity, but when they next met he hoped to get the +upper hand. + +His underling returned and, resting on his arm, Jennings with +some difficulty managed to get down the stairs. The whole +house now blazed with light. Formerly the detective had +wondered why Miss Loach had been so fond of electric lamps, +thinking that as an old lady she would have preferred a softer +glow. But now he knew that she required the electricity for +the illumination of the factory, and for manipulating the +metals required in the manufacture of coins. There was no +doubt that she was one of the gang also, but Jennings could +not conceive why she should take to such a business. However, +the woman was dead and the gang captured, so the detective +moved along the narrow passage with a sense of triumph. He +never thought that he would be so lucky as to make this +discovery, and he knew well that such a triumph meant praise +and reward. "I'll be able to marry Peggy now," he thought. + +The coiners had been removed to the Rexton cells, and only +Hale remained under the charge of Mrs. Barnes and Dr. Slane. +The body of Twining lay in the dining-room of the villa. A +policeman was on guard at the door of the villa, and two +remained at the forked passage. When Jennings arrived here he +felt inclined to turn off to the right and explore the other +passage, but he was also anxious to see the factory and assure +himself of the value of his discovery. He therefore painfully +hobbled along, clinging to Atkins, but sustained in his +efforts by an indomitable spirit. + +"Here you are, sir," said Atkins, turning on the light and +revealing the workshop. "A fine plant, isn't it?" + +"It is, indeed," said Jennings, glancing up to the rough roof +where five or six lamps blazed like suns, "and a nice +hiding-place they found. I'll sit here and look round, +Atkins." + +He dropped into a chair near the bench and stared at the +cellar. It was large, and built of rough stones, so that it +looked like a prison cell of the Bastille. The floor was of +beaten earth, the roof of brick, built in the form of an arch, +and the door was of heavy wood clamped with iron. The +brilliant illumination enabled Jennings to see everything, +even to the minutest detail of the place. + +In one corner were three large dynamos, and in another a +smelting pot, and many sheets of silver and copper. Also, +there were moulds of gutta-percha arranged to hold coins in +immersion. On a bench were a number of delicate tools and a +strong vice. Jennings also saw various appliances for making +coins. On rough deal shelves ranged round the walls stood +flasks and jars containing powders, with tools and a great +many chemicals. Also there were piles of false money, gold +and silver and copper, and devices for sweating sovereigns. +In a safe were lumps of gold and silver. Beside it, a bath +filled with some particular liquid used in the trade. +Electric cells, acids, wooden clips to hold the coins could +also be seen. In fact the whole factory was conducted on the +most scientific principles, and Jennings could understand how +so many cleverly-prepared coins came to be in circulation. +There were even moulds for the manufacture of francs and +louis. + +"I daresay the gang have other places," he said to Atkins, +"but this is their headquarters, I fancy. If I can only get +some of them to tell the truth we might find the other +places." + +"Hale wants to confess." + +"Yes. But I fancy it is about the murder of Miss Loach. She +was apparently killed to ensure the safety of this den. We +must root the coiners out, Atkins. Maraquito, who is the head +of the business, is at large, and unless we can take her, she +will continue to make false money in some other place. +However, I have seen enough for the time being. Keep guard +over this place till we hear from the Yard tomorrow." + +"You'll go home and lie down, sir." + +"No. I intend to hear Hale's confession. By to-morrow it +will be too late. I wouldn't miss hearing what he has to say +for anything." + +"But can you keep up, sir?" + +"Yes, yes--don't bother," said Jennings, rising, the pain +making him testy, "give me your arm, Atkins. By the way, +where does the other passage lead to? I have not enough +strength to explore." + +"It leads to the top of the ground, sir, and comes out into +the trunk of a tree." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Well, sir, it's very clever. There's an old oak near the +wall, and the trunk is hollow. All anyone has to do is to +climb up through the trunk by means of stairs and drop over +the wall. The coiners were making for that when we captured +them." + +"Humph! Have that place watched. Maraquito may come here +to-night after all. It is now one o'clock." + +"I don't think she'll come, Mr. Jennings. But we have every +point watched. No one can come or go unless we know." + +"Come along then," said Jennings, who was growing weak, "let +us see Hale. The sooner his confession is written and signed +the better." + +Not another word did Jennings say till he got on to the ground +floor of the villa. But he had been thinking, for when there +he turned to the man who supported him. "How is it the oak +with the hollow trunk still stands?" he asked. + +"Oh, it escaped the fire, sir. Some of the boughs were burnt +off but the trunk itself is all right. It is close to the +wall too." + +"Humph!" said Jennings, setting his teeth with the pain, "give +me a sup of brandy out of your flask, Atkins. Now for Hale." + +When he arrived in the bedroom where Hale was lying +groaning, Jennings had the factitious strength of the spirit. +A sleepy-eyed clerk was seated at the table with sheets of +paper before him. A lamp was on the table. Mrs. Barnes was +crouching in a chair near the bed. When she saw Jennings she +flung herself down weeping. + +"Oh, sir, I knew no more of this than a babe unborn," she +wailed, "I never thought my second was a villing. To think +that Thomas--" + +"That's all right, Mrs. Barnes, I quite acquit you." + +"Not Barnes. Pill I am again, and Mrs. Pill I'll be to the +end of my days. To think Thomas should be a blackguard. Pill +drank, I don't deny, but he didn't forge and coin, and--" + +"Wasn't clever enough, perhaps," said Hale from the bed in a +weak voice, "oh, there you are, Jennings. Get that fool out +of the room and listen to what I have to tell you. I haven't +much time. I am going fast." + +Jennings induced Mrs. Pill, as she now insisted on being +called, to leave the room. Then he sat down on the bed beside +the dying man. Atkins remained at the door, and the doctor +seated himself by Hale's head with a glass of brandy. It +might be needed for the revival of Hale, who, having lost much +blood, was terribly weak. But the poor wretch was bent upon +confession, and even told his story with pride. + +"You had a job to take us, Jennings," he said with a weak +chuckle. "I don't know how you found us out though." + +"It's too long a story to tell. But, first of all, tell me +did Maraquito come here to-night?" + +"No. Are you after her?" + +"Yes, I know she isn't an invalid." + +"Ah, she diddled you there," said Hale with another chuckle, +"a very clever woman is Maraquito. I wished to marry her, but +now I'm done for. After all, I'm not sorry, since my pals are +taken. But I did think I'd have been able to go to South +America and marry Maraquito. I've made plenty of money by +this game. Sometimes we sweated four hundred sovereigns a +day. The factory has been here for five years, Jennings--" + +"I know. The man Maxwell, who was Susan Grant's father, made +the secret entrance, and you had him killed." + +"No, I didn't. Miss Loach did that. I thought she was a fool +at the time. I told her so. We could have taken Maxwell as a +pal. He was willing to come. But she thought death was +best." + +"And Maraquito killed Tyke?" + +"No. I did that. I sent Gibber to fix him up. Tyke was a +drunkard and made a fool of himself in being arrested. He +would have given the show away, so I sent Gibber with a +poisoned bottle of whisky. I knew Tyke couldn't resist a +drink. He died, and--" + +"Did you kill Miss Loach also?" interrupted Jennings, casting +a glance over his shoulder to make sure that the clerk was +noting all this. + +Hale laughed weakly. + +"No!" he said. "I fancied you would ask that. I tell you +honestly that none of us know who killed her." + +"That's rubbish. You do know." + +"I swear I don't. Neither does Maraquito. You haven't caught +her yet and you never will. I'm not going to split on the +pals I have left, Jennings. You have nabbed some, but there +are others, and other factories also. I won't tell you about +those." + +"Clancy is captured--he will." + +"Don't you make any mistake. Clancy is not the fool he looks. +He has the cleverest head of the lot of us. But I'd better +get on with my confession, though it won't do you much good." + +"So long as you say who killed Miss Loach--" + +"Miss Loach," sneered Hale, "why not Emilia Saul?" + +Jennings was almost too surprised to speak. "Do you mean to +say--" + +"Yes, I do. All the time you and Miss Saxon and that idiot of +a brother thought she was Selina Loach. She wasn't, but she +was very like her. Emilia met Selina in the house that is now +burnt and pushed her off the plank. The face was disfigured +and Selina was buried as Emilia." + +"Then Mrs. Octagon must know--" + +"She knows a good deal. You'd better ask her for details. +Give me a sup of brandy, doctor. Yes," went on Hale, when he +felt better, "I laughed in my sleeve when I thought how Emilia +tricked you all. She was Maraquito's aunt. Her name--" + +"Maraquito's name is Bathsheba Saul." + +"Yes. I expect Caranby told you that. He was too clever, +that old man. I was always afraid that he would find out +about the factory. A long while ago I wished Maraquito to +give up the business and marry me. Then we would have gone to +South America and have lived in peace on no end of money. +Emilia left six thousand a year, so you may guess that +Maraquito and I made money also. But she was in love with +Mallow, and would not come away. I feared Caranby should take +it into his head to search the house--" + +"Was that why you had it burnt?" + +"No. Tyke did that out of revenge, because Maraquito marked +him with a knife. Do you think I would have been such a fool +as to burn the house. Why, Caranby would have probably let +out the land, and foundations would have been dug for new +villas, when our plant would have been discovered." + +"Who are you, Hale?" + +"Who do you think?" asked the dying man, chuckling. + +"One of the Saul family. You have the same eyebrows as +Maraquito." + +"And as Mrs. Herne, who really was Maraquito." + +"Yes, I know that. But who are you?" + +"My real name is Daniel Saul." + +"Ah! I thought you were a member of the family. There is a +likeness to Maraquito--" + +"Nose and eyebrows and Hebrew looks. But I am only a distant +cousin. My father married a Christian, but I retain a certain +look of his people. He died when I was young. Emilia's +mother brought me up. I knew a lot about the coining in those +days, and I was always in love with Bathsheba, who is my +cousin--" + +"Bathsheba?" + +"You know her best as Maraquito, so by that name I shall speak +of her. Jennings," said Hale, his voice growing weaker, "I +have little time left, so you had better not interrupt me." +He took another sup of brandy and the doctor felt his pulse. +Then he began to talk so fast that the clerk could hardly keep +pace with his speech. Evidently he was afraid lest he should +die before his recital ended. + +"When old Mrs. Saul lost Emilia--" he began. + +"But she didn't lose Emilia," interrupted Jennings. + +"She thought she had. She never knew that Emilia took the +name of Selina Loach. You had better ask Mrs. Octagon for +details on that subject. Don't interrupt. Well, when Mrs. +Saul lost Emilia, she took more and more to coining. So did +her son, Bathsheba's father. They were caught and put in +prison. I was taken in hand by a benevolent gentleman who +brought me up and gave me the profession of a lawyer. I chose +that because I thought it might be handy. Then Mrs. Saul came +out of prison and her son also. Both died. Maraquito tried +various professions and finally went in for dancing. She hurt +her foot, and that attempt to gain a living failed. I was in +practice then and we started the gambling-house together. But +by this time I had found Emilia living here as Selina Loach. +Mrs. Octagon can tell you how we met. Emilia persuaded me and +Maraquito to go in for the coining. She already had Clancy +interested. He was a good man at getting the proper ring of +the coins. Well, we managed to make a tunnel to the cellars +of the unfinished house, and then Emilia built the extra wing +to the villa. The secret entrances were made by--" + +"By Maxwell. I know that. Go on." + +"Well, we started the concern. I haven't time to tell you in +detail how lucky we were. We counterfeited foreign coins +also. We all made plenty of money. Emilia suggested +Maraquito feigning to be an invalid, so as to make things +safe. False coins were passed at the gambling-house. +Maraquito came here as Mrs. Herne and had a house--or rather +lodgings--at Hampstead. We came here three times a week, +and while supposed to be playing whist, we were at the +factory. Emilia kept guard. Sometimes we went out by the +door of this house and at times by another way--" + +"I know. Up the tree-trunk." + +"Ah, you have found that out," said Hale in a weak voice; +"what a place it is," he murmured regretfully, "no one will +ever get such another. I can't understand how you came to +find us out." + +"Tell me what happened on that night?" asked Jennings, +seeing that the man was growing weaker, and fearful lest he +should die without telling the secret of the death. + +"On that night," said the dying scamp, rousing himself; "well, +Maraquito quarrelled with Clancy, and went with me to the +factory." + +"Then you were not out of the house?" + +"No. We went by the underground passage to work. Clancy went +away, as he had business elsewhere. The moment he had gone I +came up from the passage. Emilia was seated with the cards on +her lap. She came with me to the factory, and thinking Clancy +might come back, she went out by the tree-trunk way." + +"What, that old lady?" + +"She wasn't so very old, and as active as a cat. Besides, she +did not want Clancy to come down, as she was afraid there +might be a fight between him and Maraquito. They had +quarrelled about the division of some money, and Maraquito can +use a knife on occasions." + +"She did on that night." + +"No. Miss Loach--I mean Emilia--never came back. We +became alarmed, as we knew people had been round the house of +late--" + +"Mr. Mallow--" + +"Yes, the fool. We knew he had come prowling after ghosts. +But he found nothing. Well, I--" here Hale's voice died +away. The doctor gave him some more brandy and looked +significantly at Jennings. + +"Get him to tell all at once," he whispered, "he's going." + +"Yes, I'm going," murmured Hale. "I don't mind, though I am +sorry to leave Maraquito. Well," he added, in a stronger +voice. "I went out to see what was up. We found Emilia lying +dead near the tree. She had been stabbed to the heart. A +bowie knife was near. In great alarm I got Maraquito to come +out, as the body could not be left there. We dropped it down +the tree-trunk and got it into the factory. Then we wondered +what was to be done. Maraquito suggested we should take it +back to the sitting-room, and then, people being ignorant of +the passage, no one would know how Emilia had met with her +death. I thought there was nothing else to be done. We +carried the body through the passage and placed it in the +chair. I arranged the cards on the lap, knowing the servant +had seen Emilia in that position, and that it would still +further throw prying people"--here Hale glanced at Jennings-- +"off the scent. Hardly had we arranged this and closed the +floor, over us when we heard that someone was in the room. It +was a woman, and we heard her speaking to the corpse, ignorant +that the woman was dead. Then we heard a suppressed shriek. +We guessed it was a woman, at least I did, but Maraquito was +quicker and knew more. She said it was Miss Saxon, and at +once became anxious to fix the blame on her. But I was afraid +lest things should be discovered, so I dragged Maraquito back +to the factory. I believe Miss Saxon found the knife and then +ran out, being afraid lest she should be discovered and +accused. This was what Maraquito wanted. She suddenly +escaped from me and ran back to the secret entrance. By +shifting the floor a little she saw into the room. It was +then eleven. She saw also that the knife was gone, and it +struck her that Miss Saxon could not be far off." + +"She was not," said Jennings, "she was hidden in the field of +corn." + +"Ah. I thought so. Well, Maraquito fancied that if she was +arrested with the knife before she could leave the +neighborhood she would be charged with the murder." + +"But would Maraquito have let her suffer?" asked Jennings, +horrified. + +"Of course she would," said Hale weakly, "she hated Miss Saxon +because she was engaged to Mallow, the fool. To get her +caught, Maraquito jumped up into the sitting-room and rang the +bell." + +"At eleven o'clock?" + +"Yes, I believe--I believe--" Hale's voice was getting +weaker and weaker. "She did ring--bell--then closed +floor. Servant came--I--I--" he stopped and his head +fell back. Suddenly he half rose and looked wildly into blank +space. "Maraquito," he cried strongly, "the game's at an end. +Fly, my love, fly. We have fought and--and--lost. +Maraquito, oh my--" his voice died away. He stretched out +his hand, fell back and died with a look of tender love on his +pallid face. + +"Poor wretch!" said Slane pityingly, "at least he loved +truly." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +REVENGE + + +The capture of the coiners caused an immense sensation, and +the papers were filled with descriptions of the raid. +Jennings came in for much congratulation, and his feat +considerably improved his position with the authorities. He +was confined to his bed for some days by his wound and, +meanwhile, events transpired in which he would have been +considerably interested had he heard of them. They had to do +with Maraquito. + +Since her flight from the Soho house nothing had been heard of +her, although every inquiry had been made. Guessing that +Jennings knew much more than was suspected, she was wise +enough not to go to the Rexton factory, and congratulated +herself on her foresight when she read the accounts of the +raid in the papers. But she was furiously angry at losing +all, when on the point of realizing her desires. She had sent +her money to be banked abroad; she hoped, by means of threats +to induce Mallow to give up Juliet, and she had trusted to win +his love by assiduous attentions. But the trick played by +Jennings which revealed her deception, and the raid on the +factory and the consequent death of Hale, upset her plans, and +caused her to take refuge in hiding. She did not fear being +arrested, especially as her arch-enemy, the detective, was +confined to bed, so she had time to make her plans. Maraquito +particularly wished to revenge herself on Mallow and Juliet. +She still loved the young man as much as ever, despite his +contemptuous rejection of her suit. But she blamed Juliet +Saxon for the hardening of his heart, and it was on the girl +that she determined to revenge herself. At first she intended +to call at the "Shrine of the Muses," but thinking she would +meet with opposition from Mrs. Octagon, likely to prevent the +realization of her malignant wishes, she changed her mind. It +was no use visiting Mallow, as with him she could do nothing. +Therefore she resolved to write to Lord Caranby and arrange a +meeting with Juliet at his rooms in the Avon Hotel. Then, +when in the presence of the girl, she hoped to revenge herself +in a way likely to cause Mallow exquisite pain. + +Thus it happened that Lord Caranby, who was very ill and +confined to his rooms, received a letter from Maraquito, +asking him to invite Miss Saxon to a meeting with the writer. +"I see that the game is up," wrote the artful Maraquito, "and +I am willing to put things straight. I know much which will +be of service in clearing up matters, as I was a partner with +Hale and Clancy in the coining. I do not mind admitting this, +as I am not afraid of the police arresting me. I can look +after myself, and I am quite sure that you will not betray me +when I call at your rooms. I also have something to tell you +about my dead Aunt Emilia whom you so deeply loved. +Therefore, if you will arrange for me to meet Miss Saxon, and +allow me to make a clean breast of it, all will be well." + +When Caranby received this letter his first idea was to send +for Mallow. But he reflected that Cuthbert was bitterly +angered against Maraquito, and would probably hand her over to +the police. Caranby, from a remembrance of his love for +Emilia, did not wish this to happen; therefore, he refrained +from letting Mallow learn of Maraquito's determination. He +hoped to get the complete truth from her and arrange matters +once and for all. Also, there was another reason, and a very +strong one, which prevented the old gentleman from having his +nephew present at the projected interview. + +Maraquito soon received an answer to her letter. It stated +that Lord Caranby would be pleased to receive her on Sunday +afternoon at three o'clock, and that Miss Saxon would be +present. When Maraquito read this she smiled an evil smile +and went out to make a certain purchase which had to do with +her visit. Had Lord Caranby known of her wicked intention he +would rather have cut off his right arm than have subjected +Juliet to the danger she was about to undergo. But he never +credited Maraquito with such calculated wickedness. + +On Sunday afternoon the old gentleman was seated near the +fire, carefully dressed as usual, but looking very ill. He +suffered, as he had told Jennings, from an incurable +complaint, and there was no chance of his recovering. But he +refused to take to his bed, and insisted on keeping his feet. +Cuthbert often came to see him, but on this particular +afternoon Caranby had manoeuvred him out of the way by sending +him to see an old friend with a message about his illness. +Cuthbert never suspected what was in the wind or he certainly +would not have gone. Afterwards, he bitterly regretted that +he had not told Caranby of Maraquito's threat against Juliet. +Had he done so, Caranby would never have received her. As it +was, the old lord waited patiently for the woman who was about +to bring disaster in her train. Precisely at three o'clock +his servant showed up a lady. "Madame Durand," he announced, +and then retired, leaving his master alone with a bent, crooked +old woman who walked with the aid of a cane, and seemed very +ill. + +"I should never have known you," said Caranby, admiring +Maraquito's talent for disguise. + +"Necessity has made me clever," she replied in a croaking +voice, and glanced at the door. + +Caranby interpreted the look and voice. "You can speak +freely," he said ironically, "I have no police concealed +hereabouts." + +"And Miss Saxon?" asked Maraquito, speaking in her natural +voice. + +"She will be here at half-past three. I wish to have a talk +with you first, Miss Saul." + +The woman darted a terrible look at her host. In spite of the +mask of age which she had assumed, her eyes filled with +youthful vigor and fire betrayed her. They shone brilliantly +from her wrinkled face. Her hair was concealed under a close +cap, above which she wore a broad-brimmed hat. This +head-dress would have been remarkable a few years back, but +now that ladies are reverting to the fashions of their +grandmothers, it passed unnoticed. With a plain black dress, +a black cloak trimmed profusely with beads, mittened hands and +an ebony cane, she looked quite funereal. To complete the +oddity of her dress a black satin bag dangled by ribbons from +her left arm. In this she carried her handkerchief and-- +something else. As usual, she was perfumed with the Hikui +scent. Caranby noticed this, and when she did not reply to +his remark, pointed out its danger to her. + +"If you wish to escape the police, you must stop using so +unusual a perfume, Miss Saul--" + +"Call me Maraquito; I am used to that name," she said harshly, +and seated herself near the fire, shivering to keep up a +character of old age, with slowly circulating blood. + +"Let us say Maraquita," answered Caranby, smiling, "we may as +well be grammatical. But this perfume betrays you. Jennings +knows that your friends use it as a sign." + +"Quite so," she answered, "it was clever of Jennings to have +guessed its meaning. I invented the idea. But he is ill, and +I don't think he has told anyone else about it. He is fond of +keeping his discoveries to himself. He wants all the glory." + +"Surely he has had enough by this time, Maraquita. But the +scent--" + +"You are quite right, I shall not use it for the future. But +what do you think of my disguise? Would anyone know me?" + +"Certainly not. But I wonder you have the courage to show +yourself so disfigured to the woman who is your rival." + +"Oh, as to that, she is my rival no longer," said Maraquito, +with a gesture of disdain, "your nephew is not worthy of me. +I surrender him from this moment." + +"That is very wise of you. I expect you will go abroad and +marry a millionaire." + +"I might. But I have plenty of money of my own." + +"The way in which you made it is not creditable," said +Caranby. + +"Bah!" she sneered. "I did not come here to hear you talk +morality, Lord Caranby. You were no saint in your young days. +I have heard all about you." + +"From whom?" + +"From my Aunt Emilia." + +"I scarcely think that. You were but a child when she died." + +"She did not die," said Maraquito coldly. "I have come to +tell you that she lived as Miss Loach at Rose Cottage." + +Caranby started to his feet. "What is this you tell me?" + +"The truth. Emilia is dead now, but she lived alone for many +a long day. I knew that Selina Loach was my aunt, and," +Maraquito looked at him with piercing eyes, "Mrs. Octagon knew +also." + +By this time Caranby had recovered from his emotion. "There +is nothing bad I don't expect to hear of Isabella Octagon," he +said, "so this then was why she visited you?" + +"Yes. I ordered her to come by threatening to reveal what she +knew to the police. I could have done so by an anonymous +letter. She came and then I forced her to promise to stop the +marriage. I may as well add that I wrote insisting on the +marriage being stopped as soon as Emilia died." + +"Ah! And I thought along with Cuthbert that it was hatred of +me that made Mrs. Octagon--" + +"Oh, she hates you sure enough. But are you not astonished by +my news?" + +"Very much astonished," responded Caranby thoughtfully, "how +came it that Selina died and Isabella lived?" + +"The three met in the unfinished house," explained Maraquito. +"I had the story from Emilia myself. There was a quarrel. +All three were in love with you. Selina was standing on a +plank at a considerable height from the ground. In a rage +Emilia pushed her off. Isabella held her tongue as she hated +Selina." + +"But the substitution?" + +"Well. In the fall Selina's face was much mutilated. I +believe," added Maraquito, in a coldblooded manner, "that +Emilia made it worse"--here Caranby shuddered and Maraquito +laughed--"oh, my aunt was not a woman to stick at trifles. +She insisted on changing dresses with the dead. It was the +workmen's dinner-hour and no one was about. She forced +Isabella to assist her by threatening to tell the police that +Isabella had murdered her sister. As the sisters were on bad +terms, Isabella knew that she might be accused, and so she +held her tongue." + +"But she could have accused Emilia." + +"Emilia would have denied the accusation. Moreover, Isabella +was intimidated by the fierce nature of my aunt." + +"A fierce nature, indeed, that would mutilate the dead. But I +do not see how Emilia hoped that the substitution would pass +undiscovered by Selina's friends, to say nothing of her +father." + +"The idea was that Emilia, as Selina, should go abroad and +return to England in a few years. Owing to the unexpected +death of Mr. Loach, the father, the substitution was easy. +You know how Isabella alone appeared at the inquest, and how +Selina--really my aunt--pretended to be sick. Then the +two went abroad and came back; Emilia as Miss Loach went to +Rose Cottage, and Isabella married Mr. Saxon." + +"But why did Emilia take Selina's name and--" + +"Because Emilia was in danger of being arrested along with her +mother and brother for coining. You could not have saved her. +The accident of Selina's death--" + +"The murder of Selina, you mean." + +Maraquito made a gesture of indifference. "Call it what you +like. It happened opportunely however. It gave Emilia +safety, and by threatening to denounce Isabella, she stopped +her from marrying you." + +Caranby looked up. "Ah! Now I see why Isabella left me alone. +She made one attempt, however." + +"And did not succeed in inducing you to marry her. But had +she succeeded, Emilia would have stopped the marriage. Emilia +loved you." + +"No," said Caranby coldly, "she loved my title and my name and +wealth. I never loved her nor she me. She exercised a kind +of hypnotic influence over me, and I dare say I would have +married her. But her heart I am sure was always in the +coining business." + +"You are quite right," said Maraquito, looking keenly at him, +"though I can't guess how you came to think so, seeing you +thought my aunt dead. Yes, she loved coining. When I grew up +she sent for me and for Daniel Saul--" + +"Who is he? Another of your precious family." + +"A distant cousin. You know him best as Hale the lawyer." + +"Oh, indeed," said Caranby, considerably surprised, "and what +did Emilia do with you two?" + +"She got us to help her to coin. We made use of your house. +I need not tell you how we dug the tunnel and arranged the +factory. Emilia knew that you would not disturb the house--" + +"I was a sentimental fool. If I had been wiser you would not +have carried on your wickedness for so long." + +"Oh, we have other factories," said Maraquito coolly, +"Jennings has not discovered everything. But your house was +certainly an ideal place. I can't understand how Jennings +learned about the secret--" + +"The entrance. He learned that from plans left by Maxwell who +designed the same. Emilia poisoned him." + +"She did--to preserve her secret. Hale and I thought it was +unwise; he would have joined us. But it was all for the +best." + +"Apparently you think so," returned Caranby, looking at her +with abhorrence, "seeing you poisoned Tyke in the same way." + +"Hale did that and I agreed. It was necessary," said the +woman coldly, "but you appear to know all about the matter." + +"Jennings has told me everything. Even to the fact, which he +learned from Hale that you rang that bell." + +"I did. I knew Juliet Saxon was in the room, and I wished to +get her arrested. She left the house and I rang the bell as +soon as I could get away from Hale, who did not wish me to +draw attention to the murder. But Juliet was too far away by +that time to be caught." + +"Why did you wish to hang the poor girl?" + +"Because I loved Cuthbert. I would have hanged her with +pleasure," said Maraquito vindictively. "I hate her!" + +"Then why do you wish to see her to-day?" + +"To tell her that I give up your nephew." + +"That is not in accordance with the sentiments you expressed +now." + +Maraquito made a gesture of indifference and made no reply. +Caranby now began to suspect that she intended harm to Juliet, +and wondered if she had any weapon about her. That dangling +bag could easily carry a stout knife or a neat little +revolver. And Maraquito, as was evident from the deaths of +Maxwell and Tyke, had no idea of the sacredness of life. +Caranby wished he had kept Cuthbert at hand to avert any +catastrophe. He was about to ring and order his servant not +to bring Miss Saxon into the room when Maraquito roused +herself from her reverie. + +"Do you wish to know anything further?" she asked. + +"No. I think you have told me everything." + +She smiled scornfully. "I have told you very little. But for +the rest of the information you must apply to Mrs. Octagon." + +"Ah! Supposing I wish to learn who killed Emilia?" + +"Mrs. Octagon can tell you!" said the woman significantly. + +"Do you mean to say--" + +"I say nothing. Emilia came to the factory and went out into +the open air by another exit to see if anyone was about. She +never returned and Hale and I went in search of her. We found +her dead, and--" + +"I know all this. Hale confessed it. But he does not know +who killed her. Do you?" + +"I can't say for certain. But I suspect Mrs. Octagon stabbed +her." + +"But how could Mrs. Octagon get the knife?" + +"Basil got that from Mallow's room. He gave it to his mother, and--" + +"This is all theory," said Caranby angrily, "you have no +grounds." + +"None at all," replied Maraquito calmly, "but if anyone had a +wish to kill my aunt, Mrs. Octagon had. Emilia kept a tight +hold over that woman, and made her do what she wished." + +"About the marriage?" + +"Yes, and other things. I have never been able to understand +why Aunt Emilia took such a fancy to Cuthbert and that girl. +But she certainly wished to see them married. She asked +Juliet for a photograph of your nephew, and Juliet gave her +one. I took it, and that girl Susan Grant stole it from me. +It was strange that the photograph should have gone back to +the cottage. Aunt and I quarrelled over the marriage. She +knew I loved Cuthbert, but she would never help me to marry +him. It was all Juliet with her--pah! I detest the girl. +I could do nothing while Emilia lived. She knew too much. +But after her death I made Mrs. Octagon stop the marriage." + +"I think Mrs. Octagon will consent now," said Caranby, calmly. + +"I doubt it. She hates you too much. However, she can, for +all I care, Lord Caranby. I have done with Cuthbert." + +The old man hoped she had done with Juliet also, for he was +still uneasy. The expression of her face was most malignant. +More than ever persuaded that she intended harm, Caranby again +was about to summon his servant and forbid the entrance of the +expected girl, when suddenly the door opened and Juliet; +looking bright and happy, entered. She started back when she +saw the supposed old woman, who rose. Caranby jumped off the +sofa with an activity he had not shown for years, and got +between Juliet and her enemy. Maraquito burst into tears. +"Ah, you will be happy with Cuthbert," she wailed, "while I-" +a fresh burst of tears stopped her speech and she groped in +the satin bag for her handkerchief. + +Juliet looked amazed. "Who is this, Lord Caranby?" + +"Senora Gredos." + +"Maraquito!" cried Juliet, starting back with an indignant +look. "I never expected to meet that woman--" + +"You call me that?" cried Maraquito, flashing, up into a +passion. "I am the woman Cuthbert loves." + +"He does not. He loves me. You, so old and--" + +"Old!" shrieked Maraquito, snatching off her hat and cap. "I +am young and much more beautiful than you. Look at my hair." +It came streaming down in a glorious mass on her shoulders. +"My face is as beautiful as yours. I disguised myself to see +you. I hate you!--I loathe you! I forbid you to marry +Cuthbert." + +"How dare you--how dare--" + +"I dare all things--even this." Maraquito raised her arm, +and in her hand Caranby saw a small bottle she had taken out +of the bag. "What will Cuthbert say to your beauty now?" + +She flung the bottle straight at Juliet. It would have struck +her in the face, but Caranby, throwing himself between the +two, received it fair on his cheek. It smashed, and he +uttered a cry. "Vitriol! Vitriol!" he shrieked, his hands to +his face, and fell prone on the hearth-rug. His head struck +against the bars of the grate, and a spurt of flame caught his +hair. Juliet seized him and dragged him away, calling loudly +for help. + +"You devil--you devil!" cried Maraquito, striking the girl +on the face. "I dare not stay now. But I'll spoil your +beauty yet. Wait--wait!" + +She hastily put on her hat and ran out of the room. The +servant of Lord Caranby burst into the room, followed by some +waiters. "Send for the doctor," cried Juliet, trying to raise +Caranby--"and that woman-" + +"She has left the hotel," said a waiter, but at this moment +there was a loud shout in the street, followed by a shriek and +a crash. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +NEMESIS + + +In the midst of the confusion caused by Maraquito's wickedness +Cuthbert arrived. Juliet flew to him at once and flung +herself sobbing into his arms. + +"Oh, Cuthbert--Cuthbert!" she cried, her head on his +shoulder, "that woman has been here. She tried to throw +vitriol at me, and the bottle broke on Lord Caranby's face. +He has burnt his head also; he is dying." + +"Good heavens!" cried Mallow, pressing her to his heart, +"thank God you are safe! How did Maraquito come here?" + +"I don't know--I don't know," sobbed Juliet, completely +unstrung; "he asked me to see him, and she arrived disguised +as an old woman. Oh, where is the doctor!" + +"He has just arrived, miss. Here he comes," said an excited +waiter. + +While the doctor examined Caranby's injuries, Cuthbert, very +pale, led Juliet out of the room, and taking her into an +adjoining apartment, made her drink a glass of port wine. "An +old woman," he repeated, "it must have been the disguised +Maraquito then who was killed." + +"Killed! She is not killed. She came here and--" + +Juliet began to tell the story over again, for she was badly +frightened. Mallow interrupted her gently. + +"Maraquito is dead," he said, "she was run over by a motor-car +a quarter of an hour ago." + +"Was that her cry we heard?" + +"I don't know," replied Cuthbert gloomily. "I was coming +round the corner of the street and saw a woman flying along +the pavement. A car was tearing towards me. I had just time +to see the woman as she passed and note that she was old. She +caught a glimpse of my face, and with a cry ran into the +centre of the street. I never thought she was Maraquito, and +could not understand why she acted as she did. I cried out in +alarm, and ran forward to drag her back from before the +approaching motor. But it was too late, the car went over her +and she shrieked when crushed under the wheels. The +impediment made the car swerve and it ran into a lamp-post. +The occupants were thrown out. I fancy someone else is hurt +also. Maraquito is dead. I heard a policeman say so. I then +saw a waiter gesticulating at the door of the hotel, and +fancied something was wrong; I ran along and up the stairs. +But I never expected to find you here, Juliet, much less to +witness the death of that wretched woman." + +"I am sorry," faltered Juliet, as she sat with his arms round +her, "I don't know why she wanted to throw vitriol at me. She +failed to hurt me, and I think she has killed Lord Caranby, +and--" + +"I must see to my uncle," said Mallow, rising, "stay here, +Juliet." + +"No! no," she said, clinging to him, "let me go home. Get a +cab. I dare not stop. That terrible woman--" + +"She will never hurt you again. She is dead." + +"I wish to go home--I wish to go home." + +Mallow saw that the poor girl was quite ill with fright; and +small wonder, considering the catastrophe of the last half +hour. To have vitriol thrown is bad enough, but when the act +leads to two deaths--for Maraquito was already dead, and it +seemed probable that Lord Caranby would follow--it is enough +to shake the nerves of the strongest. Mallow took Juliet down +and placed her in a cab. Then he promised to see her that +same evening, and to tell her of Lord Caranby's progress. +When the cab drove away he went again upstairs. As he went he +could not help shuddering at the thought of the danger from +which Juliet had escaped. He remembered how Maraquito had +threatened to spoil the beauty of the girl, but he never +thought she would have held to her devilish purpose. +Moreover, he could not understand how Maraquito in disguise +came to see Caranby. The disguise itself was an obvious +necessity to escape the police. But why should she have been +with his uncle and why should Juliet have come also? It was +to gain an answer to these questions that Cuthbert hurried to +the sitting-room. + +Lord Caranby was no longer there. The doctor had ordered him +to be taken to his bedroom, and when Mallow went thither he +met him at the door, "He is still unconscious," said the +doctor, "I must send for his regular medical attendant, as I +was only called in as an emergency physician." + +"Is he very ill?" + +"I think the shock will kill him. He is extremely weak, and +besides the shock of the vitriol being thrown, he has +sustained severe injuries about the head from fire. I don't +think he will live. To whom am I speaking?" asked the young +man. + +"My name is Mallow. I am Lord Caranby's nephew." + +"And the next heir to the title. I fancy you will be called +`my lord' before midnight." + +Mallow did not display any pleasure on hearing this. He +valued a title very little and, so far as money was concerned, +had ample for his needs. Besides, he was really fond of his +uncle who, although consistently eccentric, had always been a +kind, good friend. "Will he recover consciousness?" + +"I think so," said the doctor doubtfully, "I am not quite +sure. His own medical attendant, knowing his constitution and +its resisting power, will be able to speak more assuredly. +How did this happen?" + +Cuthbert, for obvious reasons, explained as little as he +could. "Some old woman came to see my uncle and threw +vitriol at Miss Saxon, the young lady who was with him. He +intercepted the stuff and fell into the fire." + +"What a demon! I hope she will be caught." + +"She is dead," and Cuthbert related the accident in the +street. The doctor had strong nerves, but he shuddered when +he heard the dreadful story. Nemesis had been less +leaden-footed than usual. + +In due time Dr. Yeo, who usually attended Caranby, made his +appearance and stated that his patient would not live many +hours. "He was always weak," said Yeo, "and of late his +weakness increased. The two severe shocks he has sustained +would almost kill a stronger man, let alone an old man of so +delicate an organization. He will die." + +"I hope not," said Cuthbert, impulsively. + +The physician looked at him benignly. "I differ from you," he +declared, "death will come as a happy release to Lord Caranby. +For years he has been suffering from an incurable complaint +which gave him great pain. But that he had so much courage, +he would have killed himself." + +"He never complained." + +"A brave man like that never does complain. Besides, he took +great care of himself. When he came back to London he was +fairly well. I think he must have done something rash to +bring on a recurrence of his illness. Within a few days of +his arrival he grew sick again. In some way he over-exerted +himself." + +"I don't think he ever did," said Mallow, doubtfully. + +"But I am certain of it. Within a week of his arrival here he +had a relapse. I taxed him with going out too much and with +over-exertion, but he declined to answer me." + +"Will he become conscious again?" + +"I think so, in a few hours, but I cannot be sure. However, +you need not be alarmed, Mr. Mallow. His affairs are all +right. In view of his illness I advised him to make his will. +He said that he had done so, and that everything was in +apple-pie order." + +"It is not that, doctor. I wish to ask him some questions. +Will you remain here?" + +"Till the end," replied Yeo, significantly; "but it will not +take place for a few hours, so far as I can see." + +"I wish to go out for an hour. Can I, with safety?" + +"Certainly. Lord Caranby will live for some time yet." + +Mallow nodded and left the bedroom, while Yeo returned to the +bed upon which lay the unconscious form of the old man. +Cuthbert took a walk to the end of the street where the +wreckage of the motor car had now been removed, and asked the +policeman what had become of the victims. He was informed that +the chauffeur, in a dying condition, had been removed to the +Charing Cross Hospital, and that the body of the old woman-- +so the constable spoke--had been taken to the police station +near at hand. "She's quite dead and very much smashed up," +was the man's report. + +Mallow thanked him with half-a-crown and, having learned the +whereabouts of the police station, he went there. He +introduced himself to the inspector and, as the nephew of Lord +Caranby, received every attention, particularly when he +described how the vitriol had been thrown. Cuthbert thought +it as well to say this, as the waiters at the Avon Hotel would +certainly inform the police if he did not. He looked at the +body of the miserable woman in its strange mask of age. "She +went to see Lord Caranby in disguise," said the inspector, +"you can see her face is made up. Does his lordship know who +she is?" + +"Yes. And Mr. Jennings, the detective, knows also." + +"Perhaps you do yourself, Mr. Mallow?" + +Cuthbert nodded. "She is Maraquito, the--" + +"What! the gambling-house coiner we have been looking for?" + +"The same. Jennings can tell you more about the matter than I +can." + +"I'll get Mr. Jennings to come here as soon as he is on his +feet, and that will be to-morrow most probably. But why did +Maraquito throw vitriol at Lord Caranby?" + +"Jennings can tell you that," said Mallow, suppressing the +fact that the vitriol had been meant for Juliet. "Perhaps it +had something to do with the raid made on the unfinished house +which, you know, belonged to my uncle." + +"Bless me, so it did. I expect, enraged by the factory being +discovered, Maraquito wished to revenge herself on your uncle. +She may have thought that he gave information to Jennings +about the place." + +"She might have thought so," said Mallow. "I am returning to +the Avon Hotel. If you want to see me you can send for me +there. But Jennings knows everything." + +"What about his lordship?" + +"He will die," said Cuthbert abruptly, and departed, leaving +the inspector full of regrets that Maraquito had not lived to +figure in the police court. He looked at the matter purely +from a professional standpoint, and would have liked the +sensation such an affair would have caused. + +When Mallow came back to the hotel he found that his uncle had +recovered consciousness and was asking for him. Yeo would not +allow his patient to talk much, so Cuthbert sat by the bedside +holding the hand of the dying man. Caranby had been badly +burnt about the temples, and the sight of one eye was +completely gone. Occasionally Yeo gave him a reviving cordial +which made him feel better. Towards evening Caranby expressed +a wish to talk. The doctor would have prevented him, but the +dying man disregarded these orders. + +"I must talk," he whispered faintly. "Cuthbert, get a sheet +of paper." + +"But you have made your will," said Yeo, rebukingly. + +"This is not a will. It is a confession. Cuthbert will write +it out and you will witness my signature along with him, Yeo." + +"A confession!" murmured Cuthbert, going out of the room to +get pen, ink and paper. "What about?" + +He soon knew, for when he was established by the side of the +bed with his writing materials on a small table, Caranby +laughed to himself quietly. "Do you know what I am about to +say?" he gasped. + +"No. If it is nothing important you had better not exhaust +yourself." + +"It is most important, as you will hear. I know who murdered +the supposed Miss Loach." + +Cuthbert nearly dropped the pen. "Who was it?" he asked, +expecting to hear the name of Mrs. Octagon. + +"I did!" said Caranby, quietly. + +"You!--that's impossible." + +"Unfortunately it is true. It was an accident, though. Yeo, +give me more drink; I must tell everything." + +Yeo was quite calm. He had known Caranby for many years, and +was not at all disposed to shrink from him because he +confessed to having committed a murder. He knew that the Earl +was a kind-hearted man and had been shamefully treated by +three women. In fact, he was secretly glad to hear that +Emilia Saul had met her death at the hand of a man she had +injured. But he kept these sentiments to himself, and after +giving his patient a strong tonic to revive his energies, he +sat by the bedside with his fingers on the pulse of the dying +man. Caranby rallied considerably, and when he began his +recital spoke in stronger tones. + +Cuthbert dipped his pen in the ink, but did not dare even to +think. He was wondering how the death of Emilia had come +about, and also how his uncle had gone to the unfinished house +on the same night as he had done. Remembering how Basil +stated he had been chased by someone unknown, Cuthbert began +to fancy he saw light. However, at this moment Caranby began +to speak, and as every moment was precious, both men forbore +to interrupt him unless desirous to have a clearer +understanding on certain points. + +"When I came back to England," said Caranby, "I never thought +that Emilia was alive. Owing to the clever way in which the +substitution was effected by Isabella, I always thought Selina +lived at Rose Cottage. Several times I tried to see her, +hoping she would marry me. But she always refused. I was +puzzled at the time, but now I know the reason. I never +thought of looking at the unfinished house. It was a piece of +sentimental folly my shutting it up, but afterwards, as time +slipped by, I never troubled about looking into the matter. +As Cuthbert will tell you, Yeo, laziness is a vice with me." + +"Go on with the story and save your strength," said Yeo +softly. + +"Yes." Caranby heaved a sigh. "I haven't much left. Well, +Cuthbert, you told me about the ghosts supposed to be haunting +the house. I asked you to go down and see. You came here one +night and left at eight o'clock to go down to Rexton." + +"I never expected you to follow. Why did you not come with +me?" + +"Because I was keeping something back from you. On the +previous day I received a letter. There was no name to it, +and the writing was disguised. It advised me to see Selina +Loach, and said I would be surprised when she spoke to me." + +"Because then you would recognize the woman you believed to be +dead." + +"Exactly," said Caranby faintly, "but at the time I knew +nothing, and was much puzzled with the letter. On that night +I intended to tell you, but I did not. Then I thought I would +go down to Rose Cottage and prove the truth of the letter. I +went almost immediately after you, Cuthbert." + +"What, in your state of health?" + +"Yes. I was stronger then." + +"And have been less strong since," murmured Yeo. "I +understand now why you refused to tell me how you had +over-exerted yourself." + +"I had my secret to keep," said Caranby coldly, "some more +drink, please." Then, when he felt better, he continued "Yes! +I was wonderfully well and strong on that night. I climbed +the wall--" + +"Impossible!" said Mallow, "I can't believe that." + +"Nevertheless it is the truth. I expect the excitement made +me unnaturally strong. I suffered greatly when it was over." + +"You were a wreck," said the physician bluntly. + +"When what was over?" asked Mallow, anxiously. + +"The event of the night to which I am coming. It took me some +time to get to Rexton, and a long time to walk to the +unfinished house. I did not go down Crooked Lane, but round +by the wall." + +"Did you come by, the railway station path?" + +"I did not. I took a wide detour and arrived at the +unfinished house on the side opposite to where Rose Cottage +stood." + +"Ah!" murmured the young man. "No wonder I missed you. But I +thought you were calling on Miss Loach." + +"I intended to, but first I thought I would assure myself +about the ghosts. Certainly I had set you to perform that +task, but, as I was on the spot, I determined to see for +myself. I climbed the wall, not without difficulty, and found +myself in the park--" + +"About what time was this?" + +"After ten. I can't say how long. But I really cannot be +precise as to the time. I wandered aimlessly about the park, +threading my way amongst the trees and shrubs and undergrowth. +I was astonished to find paths, and it struck me that someone +used the park." + +"I believe Miss Loach did--that is, Emilia," said Cuthbert. +"Jennings learned that in some way. She always was on the +watch for anyone coming into the park and learning the secret +of the factory." + +"I did not know that at the time," said Caranby, his voice +growing weaker. "Well, I walked about. Sometimes it was +moonlight and at other times the moon would be obscured by +clouds. I struggled to get near the house and succeeded. +Then I saw a man standing in the shadow. At once I went up to +him--he fled. I don't know who it was?" + +"I can tell you," said Mallow, quietly, "young Saxon." + +"Then why did he fly?" + +"He was there with no very good purpose and his conscience +smote the miserable creature," said Cuthbert, "go on--or +will you wait?" + +"No! no! no!" said Caranby, vehemently; "if I stop now you +will never know the truth. I don't want anyone else to be +accused of the crime. I know Maraquito hinted that Isabella +Octagon was guilty, but she is not. I don't want even +Isabella to suffer, though she has been a fatal woman to me +and wrecked my life's happiness." + +His voice was growing so weak that Yeo gave him more cordial. +After a pause Caranby resumed with a last effort, and very +swiftly, as though he thought his strength would fail him +before he reached the end of his dismal story. + +"I followed the man, though I did not know who he was, and +wondered why he should be trespassing. He fled rapidly and I +soon lost him. But when the moonlight was bright I saw that +he had dropped a knife from his pocket. In stooping to pick +it up I lost sight of the man." + +"Basil crossed the park and ran away. But he came back for +the knife afterwards," explained Mallow. "Juliet saw him. He +had on my coat. I wonder you didn't think Basil was me, as +Juliet did." + +"I am not acquainted with your clothes," said Caranby, dryly, +"as I have been absent from England for so long. But no +wonder Saxon did not find the knife. I picked it up. It was +a bowie--" + +"Belonging to me, which Basil had stolen." + +"I didn't know that either. Well, I went again towards the +wall surrounding the park. I thought I might meet you." + +"I wonder you didn't. I was about at that time." + +"The park was so thickly filled with trees and shrubs that we +missed one another I suppose. Don't interrupt--I am going. +Write quickly, Cuthbert." Then with a gasp Caranby resumed: +"I halted to get breath near the large oak which the fire +spared. I heard a rustling, and a woman came out of the +shadow of the tree. I wondered who she was and where she had +come from. The moon then came out brightly, and I recognized +her face with a sensation almost of terror. It was Emilia." + +"How did you recognize her after all these years?" + +"By her Jewish look, and especially by the eyebrows. +Moreover, she revealed herself to me when dying." + +"What happened?" asked Yeo, sharply. + +"I was standing with the knife in my hand. Emilia, seeing +that I was an intruder, came swiftly towards me. She had a +revolver in her hand but did not fire. She cried out +something and rushed at me. In doing this she came straight +against the knife. I was holding it instinctively in an +attitude of defence, with the point outward. She rushed at me +to bear me down by the weight and force of her charge, and the +next moment she dropped to the ground dying." + +"She was not dead then?" + +"No! not for the moment. I knelt beside her and whispered +'Emilia!' She opened her eyes and smiled. Then she replied, +'Emilia--yes!' and died. I did not know what to do. Then +it struck me that I might be arrested for the crime, though it +really was no crime. Had she not rushed at me, had I not been +holding the knife, she would not have met with her death. I +wonder she did not fire, seeing she had a pistol." + +"Perhaps she recognized you," said Yeo, glancing at Cuthbert, +who was writing rapidly. + +"No. Had she done so, she would never have attempted to hurt +me. She thought I was some spy searching for the factory, and +without giving herself time to think dashed forward, believing +I would give way and fly. It was all over in a second. I +made up my mind to go at once. I did not even wait to pick up +the knife, but climbed the wall and came home here. What +happened then I don't know." + +"I can tell you," said Mallow. "Maraquito and Hale came to +look for Miss Loach and took her body into the villa +sitting-room. They placed the knife at her feet and the cards +in her lap, thinking it would be thought she had been stabbed +in the room, and--" + +"Sign, sign!" said Caranby, unexpectedly, and Mallow hastily +brought him the written document and the ink. He signed +feebly, and the two men signed as witnesses. Yeo then turned +to his patient, but he drew back. Death was stamped on the +face. + +Cuthbert called in the servant. "Lord Caranby is dead," he +said quietly. + +"Yes, my lord," replied the servant, and Mallow started on +hearing the title. But he was now Lord Caranby and his uncle +was dead. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +CUTHBERT'S ENEMY + + +Before leaving the death-chamber, Mallow--now Lord Caranby-- +sealed the confession in the presence of Yeo, and went with +him into the sitting-room. "What will you do with that?" +asked the doctor, indicating the envelope with a nod. + +"I shall place it in the hand of my lawyers to be put with +family papers," replied Cuthbert. "I am sure you agree with +me, Yeo, that it is unnecessary to make the contents public. +My uncle is dead." + +"Even were he still alive, I should advise you to say +nothing," replied Yeo, grimly; "the woman deserved her fate, +even though it was an accident. She destroyed Caranby's life. +He would have married Selina Loach and have been a happy man +but for her." + +"There I think you wrong her. It is Isabella Octagon who is +to blame. She has indeed been a fatal woman to my poor uncle. +But for her, he would not have been prevented from marrying +Selina and thus have fallen into the toils of Emilia. Emilia +would not have murdered Selina, and the result would not have +come out after all these years in the death of my uncle at the +hands of Bathsheba Saul." + +"Who is she?" + +"Maraquito. But you don't know the whole story, nor do I +think there is any need to repeat the sordid tragedy. I will +put this paper away and say nothing about it to anyone save to +Jennings." + +"The detective!" said Yeo, surprised and startled. "Do you +think that is wise? He may make the matter public." + +"No, he won't. He has traced the coiners to their lair, and +that is enough glory for him. When he knows the truth he will +stop searching further into the case. If I hold my tongue, he +may go on, and make awkward discoveries." + +"Yes, I see it is best you should tell him. But Miss Saxon?" + +"She shall never know. Let her think Maraquito killed Emilia. +Only you, I and Jennings will know the truth." + +"You can depend upon my silence," said Yeo, shaking Cuthbert +by the hand; "well, and what will you do now?" + +"With your permission, I shall ask you to stop here and +arrange about necessary matters in connection with the +laying-out of the body. I wish to interview Mrs. Octagon this +evening. To-morrow I shall see about Caranby's remains being +taken down to our family seat in Essex." + +"There will be an inquest first." + +"I don't mind. Maraquito is dead and nothing detrimental to +the honor of the Mallows can transpire. You need say nothing +at the inquest as to the bottle being thrown at Juliet." + +"I'll do my best. But she will be questioned." + +"I intend to see her this evening myself." + +"What about Mrs. Octagon?" + +"Oh," said the new Lord Caranby with a grim smile, "I intend +to settle Mrs. Octagon once and for all." + +"Surely you don't intend to tell her of the murder." + +"Certainly not. She would make the matter public at once. +But her knowledge of the real name of Emilia, and her hushing +up of the murder of her sister, will be quite enough to bring +her to her knees. I don't intend that Juliet shall have +anything more to do with her mother. But I'll say very +little." + +After this Cuthbert departed and took a hansom to the "Shrine +of the Muses." He arrived there at ten o'clock, and was +informed by the butler that Miss Saxon was in bed with a +headache, and that Mrs. Octagon had given orders that Mr. +Mallow was not to be admitted. Basil was out, and Mr. Octagon +likewise. Cuthbert listened quietly, and then gave the man, +whom he knew well, half a sovereign. "Tell Mrs. Octagon that +Lord Caranby wishes to see her." + +"Yes, sir, but I don't--" + +"I am Lord Caranby. My uncle died this evening." + +The butler opened his eyes. "Yes, m'lord," he said promptly, +and admitted Cuthbert into the hall. "I suppose I needn't say +it is really you, m'lord," he remarked, when the visitor was +seated in the drawing-room, "I am afraid the mistress will be +angry." + +"Don't trouble about that, Somes. Tell her Lord Caranby is +here," and the butler, bursting to tell the news in the +servants' hall, went away in a great hurry. + +Cuthbert remained seated near the table on which stood an +electric lamp. He had the confession in his pocket, and +smiled to think how glad Mrs. Octagon would be to read it. +However, he had quite enough evidence to force her into decent +behavior. He did not intend to leave that room till he had +Mrs. Octagon's free consent to the marriage and a promise that +she would go abroad for an indefinite period with her hopeful +son, Basil. In this way Cuthbert hoped to get rid of these +undesirable relatives and to start his married life in peace. +"Nothing less than exile will settle matters," he muttered. + +Mrs. Octagon, in a gorgeous tea-gown, swept into the room with +a frown on her strongly-marked face. She looked rather like +Maraquito, and apparently was in a bad temper. Mallow could +see that she was surprised when she entered, as, thinking Lord +Caranby was incapacitated by the accident described by Juliet, +she did not know how he came to call at so late an hour. +Moreover, Lord Caranby had never visited her before. However, +she apparently was bent on receiving him in a tragic manner, +and swept forward with the mien of a Siddons. When she came +into the room she caught sight of Cuthbert's face in the blaze +of the lamp and stopped short. "How--" she said in her +deepest tone, and then became prosaic and very angry. "What +is the meaning of this, Mr. Mallow? I hoped to see--" + +"My uncle. I know you did. But he is dead." + +Mrs. Octagon caught at a chair to stop herself from falling, +and wiped away a tear. "Dead!" she muttered, and dropped on +to the sofa. + +"He died two hours ago. I am now Lord Caranby." + +"You won't grace the position," said Mrs. Octagon viciously, +and then her face became gloomy. "Dead!--Walter Mallow. +Ah! I loved him so." + +"You had a strange way of showing it then," said Cuthbert, +calmly, and he also took a seat. + +Mrs. Octagon immediately rose. "I forbid you to sit down in +my house, Lord Caranby. We are strangers." + +"Oh, no, we aren't, Mrs. Octagon. I came here to arrange +matters." + +"What matters?" she asked disdainfully, and apparently certain +he had nothing against her. + +"Matters connected with my marriage with Juliet." + +"Miss Saxon, if you please. She shall never marry you." + +"Oh, yes, she will. What is your objection to the marriage?" + +"I refuse to tell you," said Mrs. Octagon violently, and then +somewhat inconsistently went on: + +"If you must know, I hated your uncle." + +"You said you loved him just now." + +"And so I did," cried the woman, spreading out her arms, "I +loved him intensely. I would have placed the hair of my head +under his feet. But he was never worthy of me. He loved +Selina, a poor, weak, silly fool. But I stopped that +marriage," she ended triumphantly, "as I will stop yours." + +"I don't think you will stop mine," replied Cuthbert +tranquilly, "I am not to be coerced, Mrs. Octagon." + +"I don't seek to coerce you," she retorted, "but my daughter +will obey me, and she will refuse your hand. I don't care if +you are fifty times Lord Caranby. Juliet should not marry you +if you had all the money in the world. I hated Walter Mallow, +your uncle. He treated me shamefully, and I swore that never +would any child of mine be connected with him. Selina wished +it, and forced me to agree while she was alive. But she is +dead and Lord Caranby is dead, and you can do nothing. I defy +you--I defy you!" + +"We may as well conduct this interview reasonably." + +"I shall not let you remain here any longer. Go." + +She pointed to the door with a dramatic gesture. Cuthbert +took up his hat. + +"I shall go if you insist," he said, moving towards the door, +"and I shall return with a policeman." + +Mrs. Octagon gave a gasp and went gray. "What do you mean?" + +"You know well what I mean. Am I to go?" + +"You have nothing against me," she said violently, "stop, if +you will, and tell me the reason of that speech." + +"I think you understand what I mean perfectly well," said +Mallow again, and returning to his seat. "I know that your +sister died years ago," Mrs. Octagon gasped, "and that Emilia +feigned to be Selina Loach. And perhaps, Mrs. Octagon, you +will remember how your sister died." + +"I didn't touch her," gasped Mrs. Octagon, trembling. + +"No, but Emilia Saul did, and you condoned the crime." + +"I deny everything! Go and get a policeman if you like." + +Cuthbert walked to the door and there turned. "The statement +of Emilia will make pleasant reading in court," he said. + +Mrs. Octagon bounded after him and pulled him back by the +coat-tails into the centre of the room. Then she locked the +door and sat down. "We won't be disturbed," she said, wiping +her face upon which the perspiration stood, "what do you +know?" + +"Everything, even to that letter you wrote to my uncle, +stating he should see the pretended Selina Loach." + +This was a chance shot on Mallow's part, but it told, for he +saw her face change. In fact, Mrs. Octagon was the only woman +who could have sent the letter. She did not attempt to deny +it. "I sent that letter, as I was weary of that woman's +tyranny. I thought it would get her into trouble." + +"She would have got you into trouble also. Suppose she had +lived and had told the story of Selina's death." + +"She would have put the rope round her own neck," said Mrs. +Octagon in a hollow tone, all her theatrical airs gone. "I +was a fool to wait so long. For twenty years that woman has +held me under her thumb. It was Emilia that made me consent +to your engagement to Juliet. Otherwise," she added +malevolently, "I should have died rather than have consented. +Oh," she shook her hands in the air, "how I hate you and your +uncle and the whole of the Mallows." + +"A woman scorned, I see," said Cuthbert, rather cruelly, +"well, you must be aware that I know everything." + +"You don't know who killed Emilia?" + +"Maraquito said it was you." + +"I" shrieked Mrs. Octagon, "how dare she? But that she is +dead, as Juliet told me, I would have her up for libel. +Maraquito herself killed the woman. I am sure of it. That +coining factory--" + +"Did you know of its existence?" + +"No, I didn't," snapped Mrs. Octagon. "I knew nothing of +Emilia's criminal doings. I let her bear the name of my +sister--" + +"Why?" asked Mallow, quickly, and not knowing what Maraquito +had said to Caranby. + +"I don't know," replied Mrs. Octagon, sullenly, "Emilia was in +some trouble with the law. Her brother and mother were +afterwards arrested for coining. She might have been arrested +also, but that I agreed to hold my tongue. Emilia pushed +Selina off the plank. Then she turned and accused me. As it +was known that I was on bad terms with Selina, I might have +been accused of the crime, and Emilia would have sworn the +rope round my neck. Emilia made me help her to change the +dress, and said that as the face of the dead was disfigured, +and she was rather like Selina--which she certainly was, she +could arrange. I did not know how she intended to blind my +father. But my father died unexpectedly. Had he not done so, +the deception could not have been kept up. As it was, I went +to the inquest, and Emilia as Selina pretended to be ill. I +saw after her and we had a strange doctor. Then we went +abroad, and she came back to shut herself up in Rose Cottage. +I tried to marry Caranby, but Emilia stopped that." + +"Why did she?" + +"Because she loved Caranby in her tiger way. That was why she +insisted you should marry Juliet. She always threatened to +tell that I had killed Selina, though I was innocent." + +"If you were, why need you have been afraid?" + +"Circumstances were too strong for me," said Mrs. Octagon, +wiping her dry lips and glaring like a demon. "I had to give +in. Had I known of that factory I would have spoken out. As +it was, I wrote to Caranby when in a fit of rage; but +afterwards I was afraid of what I had done, as I thought +Emilia would tell." + +"She certainly would have done so had she not died so +opportunely." + +"Do you mean to say that I killed her? I tell you, Maraquito +did so." + +"What makes you think that?" asked Mallow, delighted at the +mistake. + +"Because she was always fighting with Emilia about you. +Maraquito wished to marry you, and Emilia would not let her. +After Emilia died, Maraquito saw me, and we arranged to stop +the marriage, and--" + +"I know all about that. I saw you--or rather my uncle saw +you--enter Maraquito's Soho house." + +"I went on Basil's account also," said Mrs. Octagon, sullenly, +"however, I have told you all. What do you wish to do?" + +"I wish to marry Juliet." + +"Then I refuse," said Mrs. Octagon, savagely. + +"In that case I'll tell." + +"You will disgrace Juliet. Besides, the law can't touch me." + +"I am not so sure of that. You were an accessory after the +fact. And if the public knew that you had acquiesced in the +death of your sister and had held your tongue for years, you +would not be popular. I fear your books would not sell then." + +Mrs. Octagon saw all this, and glared savagely at Cuthbert. +She would have liked to kill him, but he was the stronger of +the two, and knew much which she wished kept silent. Mallow +saw the impression he was making and went on persuasively. +"And think, Mrs. Octagon, Juliet can give you up the six +thousand a year--" + +"Not she," laughed Mrs. Octagon, sneering. + +"She will, at my request. I don't want my wife to possess +money made out of coining. The income will be made over to +you by deed of gift." + +"Six thousand a year," mused the lady, "and you will hold your +tongue?" + +"Of course, for Juliet's sake as well as for yours. But I +think it will be advisable for you to travel for a few years." + +"I'll take up my abode in America forever," said Mrs. Octagon, +rising, "do you think I'll stop here and see you my daughter's +husband? Not for all the money in the world. Besides, Mr. +Octagon has been insolent over money, and I sha'n't stay with +him. Basil and myself will go to America and there we will +become famous." + +"It is certainly better than becoming famous in another way," +said Mallow, dryly, "you will, of course be quite amiable to +Juliet. Also to me, in public." + +"Oh," she replied, with a short laugh, "I'll kiss you if you +like." + +"There is no need to go so far. I am sorry for you." + +"And I hate you--hate you! Leave me now at least. You can +come to-morrow, and I'll consent publicly to the marriage. +But I hope you will both be miserable. Juliet does not love +me or she would despise you. I wish you had died along with +your uncle." + +She was becoming so wild in her looks that Cuthbert thought it +best to leave the room. The key was in the door, so he +departed, quite sure that Mrs. Octagon, to avoid scandal about +her shady doings, would be most agreeable towards him in +public, however much of a demon she might be in private. Thus +ended the interview. + +Next morning Mallow drove to Jennings and related everything, +including the confession of Caranby regarding the accident, +and added details of the interview with Mrs. Octagon. +Jennings listened, astonished. + +"I am glad you told me," he said, "of course I don't want you +to make all this public. The general impression is the same +as that of Mrs. Octagon, that Maraquito murdered Miss Loach. +It need not be known that Emilia was masquerading under a +false name. She need not be brought into the case at all. +What a wonderful case, Mallow." + +Cuthbert assented. "It's more like fiction than fact." + +"Fact is always like fiction," said Jennings epigrammatically, +"however, we've got a confession from Clancy about the other +factories. The whole gang will be caught sooner or later. +And, by the way, Mallow, on second thoughts, I think it will +be best to state the real name of Emilia." + +"I think so too. If she is pilloried as Miss Loach, everyone +will know that she is the aunt of Juliet. Tell the truth, +Jennings." + +"We'll tell everything, save that Lord Caranby inadvertently +murdered that woman. She was the fatal woman--" + +"No," said the new Lord Caranby, "Mrs. Octagon is the fatal +woman. She was at the bottom of everything." + +"And has been rewarded with six thousand a year. I don't +suppose the State can seize that money. However, I'll see. I +should like to punish Isabella Octagon in some way. And Susan +Grant?" + +"You can give her a thousand pounds on my behalf, and she can +marry her baker. Then there's Mrs. Barnes--Mrs. Pill that +was. She is quite innocent. Thomas her husband will be +punished, so you had better tell her, I'll provide for her. +As to yourself--" + +"That's all right, Mallow, this coining case means a rise of +salary." + +"All the same, I intend to give you a few thousands on behalf +of myself and Juliet. Without you I would probably have been +accused of the crime. And, in any case, things would have +been awkward. There might have been a scandal." + +"There won't be one now," said Jennings. "I'll settle +everything. Mrs. Octagon will go to the States with that +young cub, and you can make Miss Saxon Lady Caranby. It is +good of you giving me a reward. I can now marry Peggy." + +"We all seem to be bent on marriage," said Mallow, rising to +take his leave. "How's the shoulder?" + +"All right," said the detective, "and it's worth the wound to +have Peggy nursing me. She is the dearest--" + +"No, pardon me," said Cuthbert, "by no means. Juliet is the +dearest girl in the wide world," and he departed laughing. + +Needless to say, under the careful supervision of Jennings, +all scandal was averted. The gang with Clancy at its head +were sentenced to years of imprisonment, likely to put a stop +to all pranks. Maraquito was buried quietly and Mallow +erected a gravestone to her, in spite of her wicked designs +against Juliet. In six months Jennings married Peggy and took +a house at Gunnersbury, where Peggy and he live in the +congenial company of Le Beau, who has become quite reconciled +to Jennings' profession. The old professor teaches dancing to +the children of the neighborhood. Susan Grant also married +her baker, and the two now possess one of the finest shops in +Stepney. Mrs. Octagon went to America almost immediately. +She managed to keep the six thousand a year, in spite of +Jennings. No one knows how she managed to do this, but +envious people hinted at Government influence. However, with +Basil she departed to the States, as she confessed to being +weary of constant triumphs in England. Mrs. Octagon now has a +literary salon in Boston, and is regarded as one of the +leading spirits of the age. Basil married an heiress. Peter, +weary of playing the part of husband to a celebrity, remained +in England but not in London. He sold the "Shrine of the +Muses" and took a cottage on an estate in Kent belonging to +Lord Caranby. Here he cultivates flowers and calls frequently +on his step-daughter and her husband, when they are in the +neighborhood. Peter never knew the true history of his wife. +He always refers to Mrs. Octagon with respect, but shows no +disposition to join her in America. Peter has had quite +enough of sham art and sham enthusiasm. + +And Cuthbert was married to Juliet within the year. The +wedding was quiet on account of his uncle's death, and then +Lord Caranby took his bride for a tour round the world. To +this day Lady Caranby believes that Maraquito murdered Miss +Loach, and knows also from newspaper reports that the +pretended aunt was really Emilia Saul. Mrs. Octagon also +expressed surprise at the infamous imposture, and quite +deceived Juliet, who never learned what part her mother had +taken in the business. In fact Juliet thought her mother was +quite glad she had married Cuthbert. + +"Mother really liked you all the time," she said to her +husband when they set off on their honeymoon. + +"I doubt that," replied Lord Caranby, dryly. + +"She told me that it was always the dream of her life to see me +your wife, but that Maraquito had threatened to ruin Basil if--" + +"Oh, that is the story, is it? Well, Juliet, I am much +obliged to Mrs. Octagon for loving me so much, but, with your +permission, we will not see more of her than we can help." + +"As she is in America we will see very little of her," sighed +Lady Caranby, "besides, she loves Basil more than me. Poor +boy, I hope he will get on in America." + +"Of course he will. He will marry an heiress--" And +Cuthbert's prophecy proved to be correct--"Don't let us talk +of these things any more, Juliet. This dreadful murder nearly +wrecked our life. My poor uncle talked of a fatal woman. +Maraquito was that to us." + +"And I?" asked Juliet, nestling to her husband. + +"You are the dearest and sweetest angel in the world." + +"And you are the greatest goose," said she, kissing her husband +fondly, "we have had enough of fatal women. Let us never +mention the subject again." + +And they never did. + + + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg Etext of The Secret Passage, by Fergus Hume + |