'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.