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 portra