you are keeping something from me."

"I am," answered Steel readily. "Tit for tat, Mr. Ware. You did a little
business on your own account, and said nothing to me. I repay the
compliment."

"I was afraid you would arrest Miss Denham."

"You mean Miss Franklin. No, I should not have done that. My
investigations into this thieving case have shown me that she is
perfectly innocent. She knows nothing about Denham's rascalities, and
she certainly did not commit the murder."

"Are you so sure that Dane is the culprit?" asked Giles.

"Yes, I am sure. He was at Gravesend on board that yacht, and when the
so-called Wilson came by train from London, Dane rode over from Tilbury
on a motor-bicycle. They met on that night, and then I expect Denham
induced Dane to murder the girl. Afterwards Dane went back to Tilbury as
he came, and Denham induced his daughter to rescue him on your motor."

"But why should he get Anne to do that?"

"Because he saw that he had been wrong in forcing Dane to do what he
did. Dane was too hasty. He should have waited till Denham was a safe
distance away, and then have executed the deed. As it was I believe that
Denham came out to find the girl dead, and knowing he might be accused,
lost his head. Otherwise he certainly would not have betrayed himself to
Miss Anne. She, believing him to be her father, secured the car and
saved him. A very clever woman, Mr. Ware. I hope you will ask me to the
wedding."

"How do you know it will ever take place?" asked Giles sadly.

"Because I am sure we shall find Miss Anne in the Priory. I shall arrest
Denham, and you can place the lady in charge of some friend, or send her
up to her mother, the Princess Karacsay. By the way, how does she come
to be the mother?"

"It's a long story. The Princess was married twice, first to George
Franklin, of Jamaica, and secondly to Prince Karacsay. But how do you
know that when Morley arrived with Anne that Denham did not take fright
and fly?"

"I don't think Morley would let him do that. It is probable that Miss
Anne would tell him what she knew, and there would be quite enough
suspicion excited in Morley's mind to induce him to communicate with
me."

"Has he done so?"

"Well, no, he hasn't. But then, he's a detective also, you see, and his
professional jealousy, even although he has retired, may induce him to
engineer this business himself. But he shan't have the credit of it
after all my work," cried Steel vehemently.