you and
that you might get into trouble. Really I did," said Basil, seeing
Mallow make a gesture of dissent. "I came back by the railway path,
and along by the corn. Where Juliet could have been, I don't know. I
climbed the wall and crossed the park. I could not find the knife
where I thought I had dropped it, near the house. I then climbed the
opposite wall and got away home. Next day I heard of the death and
went down to look for the knife again. I never thought she had been
killed with that knife, as no weapon was found. Juliet said nothing to
me about the matter--"

"No. Because she thought the knife was mine, as it is, and that I was
the man who climbed the wall. I was on the spot. I remember telling
you that, when we met in the street, and you were afraid. I see now
why you asked me if I had been in the park at night."

"I thought you might have spotted me. When were you there?"

"About twenty minutes past ten."

"Well, then, I was there at ten or a few minutes later. I got away
from the man who chased me some time before you came. It was, as you
say, at a quarter to eleven when I came back, and by that time I
suppose you had gone."

"I went over the opposite wall as you did," said Cuthbert, "we must
have run each other very close."

"I expect we were in different parts of the park," said Basil, "but I
swear that I am telling you the truth. I said nothing about this, as I
was afraid of being arrested. But, if you like, I'll tell that
detective Jennings what I told you. He will help me."

"My advice to you is to hold your tongue and keep silent."

"But if I am traced?" stammered Basil.

"I shall say nothing," said Mallow, "and Jennings has dropped the case.
I shall get the check from Hale, and you must go abroad. I believe you
are innocent."

"Oh, thank you--thank you--"

"But you are a scoundrel for all that. When I get you sent abroad and
marry your sister, neither she nor I will have anything to do with you.
And if you come back to England, look out."

CHAPTER XXI

AN EXPERIMENT

Next day Cuthbert received a letter from Jennings. It intimated that
Maraquito wished to see him that evening. "If you will call at nine
o'clock," wrote the detective, "she will be alone. The police have
decided to close the gambling-house, and she is making preparations to
leave England. I understand she has something to tell you in
connection with the death of Miss Loach, which it is