"

"Yes, I know; I met her last night by accident. And you have known all
the time."

"Indeed, I know nothing," said the little man. "I was about to say that
you know where she is?"

"Franklin did not tell you that she was with him, then?"

"Miss Denham--with Franklin--at the Priory?" Morley looked stupefied.

"She has been there all the time. I remember now. Franklin did not tell
you, because he knew that you would give her up to the police."

"He told me nothing," said Morley slowly, "and if he had I should
certainly have given her up to the police. Does he think her innocent?"

Giles shook his head gloomily. "He did, but circumstances have happened
which have led him to change his opinion. He believes now that she is
guilty. But he would never have told you."

"Well, I suppose that is natural. After all she is his niece, and
although he hates his brother Walter, he must have some love for Anne,
or he would scarcely have taken her in. So she has gone away. Can you
tell me where she is to be found?"

"Is it likely that I should?"

Morley laughed in his cheery manner. "No," he replied bluntly, "for I
know she has gone to London, and that you are following her."

"Quite so. But London is a large place. You will not find her."

"I could if I followed you," said Morley promptly.

"I should not let you do that."

"Perhaps not. But if I chose I could circumvent you. All I have to do is
to wire your description to Scotland Yard and you would be shadowed by a
detective from the moment you left the Liverpool Street Station. But you
need not be afraid. I don't want to harm Miss Denham. If she crosses my
path I'll have her arrested, but I won't go hunting for her."

"I don't trust you, Morley," said Ware quietly.

"You ought to. I have put you on your guard against myself. If my
intentions were bad, I should not have told you. But my detective days
are over, and Miss Denham can go scot-free for me. But I'll tell you one
thing, Ware. She will never be your wife."

"How can you prophesy that?" asked Giles sharply.

"Because you will never be able to prove her innocence. I believe her to
be guilty myself, and if she is not, the task of removing the suspicion
is an impossible one. I have had many mysterious cases in my day, but
this is one of the most difficult."

"I don't agree with you," said Ware promptly. "The case is perfectly
simple. Her blackguard of a father killed Daisy and afterwards intended
to kill