d gave a
shilling--it was false. The inspector will show it to you, sir. And
another queer thing, Mr. Jennings, this man had some rags and a bottle
of petroleum on him."

"Humph! Perhaps he intended to set fire to some place. Have you heard
of any fire?"

"No, sir, not near Rexton."

"At what time was the man arrested?"

"At nine last night. He is in jail now, and will be brought up this
morning on a charge of passing false money."

"I'll look into it, Drudge. It is strange about the scent: but there
may be nothing in the matter. The man could easily buy scent of the
kind Mrs. Herne uses. Go back to Soho and watch the house. Let me
know if Mrs. Herne comes out, and where she goes."

"Yes, sir," said Drudge, and bowed himself out.

When the man was gone Jennings walked up and down his room in a great
state of excitement. He was beginning to see the end of the matter.
That the scent should be used by a man who was passing false coins
confirmed his idea that it was some peculiar sign whereby the members
of the gang recognized one another. If Mrs. Herne really was the aunt
of Maraquito, this matter implicated her as well as the niece. And
Mrs. Herne had been accustomed to go to Rose Cottage, which hinted that
Miss Loach had perhaps learned of the existence of the gang and had
suffered for her indiscreet curiosity.

"I believe Miss Loach threatened to disclose what she knew. She may
have learned that the gang worked in that house from the fact of the
ghosts, in which so strongminded an old lady would not believe. I
daresay she threatened exposure, and someone killed her. Perhaps Mrs.
Herne herself. No, confound it, she was out of the house. Well, I'll
see this man now in jail. I may be able to force him to tell. And
I'll call on Lord Caranby to-day, and get permission to search the
unfinished house. I am quite sure there is a factory there. I wish
Mallow would come and tell me if he has learned anything."

Again there was a ring at the door, and this time Jennings, expecting
no one else, certainly hoped to see Cuthbert. But, to his surprise,
the servant showed in Lord Caranby. The old gentleman was calm and
composed as usual, but Jennings thought he looked ill and frail. The
dark circles round his eyes were more pronounced than ever, and he
leaned heavily on his cane. He was perfectly dressed as usual, and
seemed disposed to be friendly.

"I am glad to see you, Lord Caranby," said the detec