ghtened rabbit, and would not harm a fly. But
drink, as you know, changes a nature to the contrary of what it actually
is."

"I have heard that."

"You would have seen an example in Lemuel," she retorted. "When he drank
brandy, he became a king, a sultan. From being timid he became bold;
from not harming anyone he was capable of murder. Often in his fits did
he lay violent hands on me. But I managed to escape. When sober, he
would moan and apologize in a provokingly tearful manner. I hated and
despised him," she went on, with flashing eyes, but careful to keep her
voice from reaching the gamblers. "I was a fool to marry him. My father
was a farmer, and I had a good education. I was attracted by the good
looks of Lemuel, and ran away with him from my father's farm in
Buckinghamshire."

"That's where Stowley is," murmured Paul.

"Stowley?" echoed Mrs. Krill, whose ears were very sharp. "Yes, I know
that town. Why do you mention it?"

"The opal serpent brooch with which your husband's lips were fastened
was pawned there."

"I remember," said Mrs. Krill, calmly. "Mr. Pash told me. It has never
been found out how the brooch came to fasten the lips--so horrible it
was," she shuddered.

"No. My father bought the brooch from the Stowley pawnbroker, and gave
it to my mother, who sent it to me. When I had an accident, I lost it,
but who picked it up I can't say."

"The assassin must have picked it up," declared Mrs. Krill, decisively,
"else it would not have been used in that cruel way; though why such a
brooch should have been used at all I can't understand. I suppose my
husband did not tell you why he wanted to buy the brooch?"

"Who told you that he did?" asked Paul, quickly.

"Mr. Pash. He told me all about the matter, but not the reason why my
husband wanted the brooch."

"Pash doesn't know," said Beecot, "nor do I. Your husband fainted when
I first showed him the brooch, but I don't know why. He said nothing."

Again Mrs. Krill's face in spite of her care showed a sense of relief at
his ignorance. "But I must get back to my story," she said, in a hard
tone, "we have to leave soon. I ran away with Lemuel who was then
travelling with jewellery. He knew a good deal about jewellery, you
know, which he turned to account in his pawnbroking."

"Yes, and amassed a fortune, thereby."

"I should never have credited him with so much sense," said Mrs. Krill,
contemptuously. "While at Christchurch he was nothing but a