Emilia suggested Maraquito feigning to be an invalid,
so as to make things safe. False coins were passed at the
gambling-house. Maraquito came here as Mrs. Herne and had a house--or
rather lodgings--at Hampstead. We came here three times a week, and
while supposed to be playing whist, we were at the factory. Emilia
kept guard. Sometimes we went out by the door of this house and at
times by another way--"

"I know. Up the tree-trunk."

"Ah, you have found that out," said Hale in a weak voice; "what a place
it is," he murmured regretfully, "no one will ever get such another. I
can't understand how you came to find us out."

"Tell me what happened on that night?" asked Jennings, seeing that the
man was growing weaker, and fearful lest he should die without telling
the secret of the death.

"On that night," said the dying scamp, rousing himself; "well,
Maraquito quarrelled with Clancy, and went with me to the factory."

"Then you were not out of the house?"

"No. We went by the underground passage to work. Clancy went away, as
he had business elsewhere. The moment he had gone I came up from the
passage. Emilia was seated with the cards on her lap. She came with
me to the factory, and thinking Clancy might come back, she went out by
the tree-trunk way."

"What, that old lady?"

"She wasn't so very old, and as active as a cat. Besides, she did not
want Clancy to come down, as she was afraid there might be a fight
between him and Maraquito. They had quarrelled about the division of
some money, and Maraquito can use a knife on occasions."

"She did on that night."

"No. Miss Loach--I mean Emilia--never came back. We became alarmed,
as we knew people had been round the house of late--"

"Mr. Mallow--"

"Yes, the fool. We knew he had come prowling after ghosts. But he
found nothing. Well, I--" here Hale's voice died away. The doctor
gave him some more brandy and looked significantly at Jennings.

"Get him to tell all at once," he whispered, "he's going."

"Yes, I'm going," murmured Hale. "I don't mind, though I am sorry to
leave Maraquito. Well," he added, in a stronger voice. "I went out to
see what was up. We found Emilia lying dead near the tree. She had
been stabbed to the heart. A bowie knife was near. In great alarm I
got Maraquito to come out, as the body could not be left there. We
dropped it down the tree-trunk and got it into the factory. Then we
wondered what was to be done.