age 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.