le and Clancy in the coining. I do not mind admitting
this, as I am not afraid of the police arresting me. I can look after
myself, and I am quite sure that you will not betray me when I call at
your rooms. I also have something to tell you about my dead Aunt
Emilia whom you so deeply loved. Therefore, if you will arrange for me
to meet Miss Saxon, and allow me to make a clean breast of it, all will
be well."

When Caranby received this letter his first idea was to send for
Mallow. But he reflected that Cuthbert was bitterly angered against
Maraquito, and would probably hand her over to the police. Caranby,
from a remembrance of his love for Emilia, did not wish this to happen;
therefore, he refrained from letting Mallow learn of Maraquito's
determination. He hoped to get the complete truth from her and arrange
matters once and for all. Also, there was another reason, and a very
strong one, which prevented the old gentleman from having his nephew
present at the projected interview.

Maraquito soon received an answer to her letter. It stated that Lord
Caranby would be pleased to receive her on Sunday afternoon at three
o'clock, and that Miss Saxon would be present. When Maraquito read
this she smiled an evil smile and went out to make a certain purchase
which had to do with her visit. Had Lord Caranby known of her wicked
intention he would rather have cut off his right arm than have
subjected Juliet to the danger she was about to undergo. But he never
credited Maraquito with such calculated wickedness.

On Sunday afternoon the old gentleman was seated near the fire,
carefully dressed as usual, but looking very ill. He suffered, as he
had told Jennings, from an incurable complaint, and there was no chance
of his recovering. But he refused to take to his bed, and insisted on
keeping his feet. Cuthbert often came to see him, but on this
particular afternoon Caranby had manoeuvred him out of the way by
sending him to see an old friend with a message about his illness.
Cuthbert never suspected what was in the wind or he certainly would not
have gone. Afterwards, he bitterly regretted that he had not told
Caranby of Maraquito's threat against Juliet. Had he done so, Caranby
would never have received her. As it was, the old lord waited
patiently for the woman who was about to bring disaster in her train.
Precisely at three o'clock his servant showed up a lady. "Madame
Durand," he announced, and then retired,