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 w