ded smile. "And that's exactly what I sent
for you to find out. After you have explained yourself so fully and
so--so emphatically--in the presence of these ladies, I will now claim a
little of your time and attention for myself.

"You were perfectly right. I happened to be coming here, upon this very
unpleasant and tragic errand, at the summons of Miss Maud Duggan----"

"_Maud_ sent for you?"

"She did. We had a prearranged signal--she'll probably tell you all
about it"--he smiled at her sad young face, a hint of tenderness in his
own. "You see, we happen to be friends _through_ friends, if you can
follow what I mean. Miss Duggan's school-mate and chum chances to be the
lady who has done me the honour to promise to become my wife, and of
course it was naturally a firm link between us."

"Maud's school-friend?" The Captain's voice was incredulous. "And you?
A--a policeman! Damned funny!"

"As you say--_very_ funny," returned Cleek, with an ironical bow. "But
I must beg of you, my good Captain, to curb your language a little
before the ladies. It's not done, you know, in the best society--even a
mere policeman knows that. And as all this is entirely beyond the point
I'm aiming at, let's get down to brass tacks at once. What I want to
know is--what were you doing here last night, when the crime had only
just been committed? And why did I encounter you, running from the
direction of the house as fast as your feet could carry you? That's what
I want to know."

A sudden gasp of amazement from Maud Duggan, hastily suppressed, brought
Cleek's eyes round to her instantly. Meanwhile, the Captain, going red
and white by turns, started to speak, hesitated, and then commenced
again, looking the very picture of abject discomfort and unhappiness.

At last:

"Well, if you want so much to know--find out for yourself," he broke out
in a sulky tone. "For I'm not going to tell you--that's flat! I've had
nothing whatsoever to do with the beastly affair, and you know it. And
if you don't know it, it won't take you long to find out. But what I was
doing here last night is my private affair, and nothing to do with
anybody."

"Oho!" said Cleek in two different tones, arching an eyebrow in Mr.
Narkom's direction. "Still more emphatic, I must say! And 'absolutely
refuse,' too! The Law takes no refusals, Captain Macdonald, and if you
don't know that fact, you'd better learn it now. And if you and Mr. Ross
Duggan happen to be friends---