ared 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 ma