He's been comin' and goin' fur months, and Miss Maud loves 'im
somethin' cruel. But they'll marry now an' be 'appy."

"I suppose your ladies sometimes went to see this gent in town?"

"Meanin' Mr. Hay," said Matilda, artlessly. "Well, sir, they did, one at
a time and then together. Missis would go and miss would foller, an'
miss an' missus together would take their joy of the Towers an' shops
and Madame Tusord's and sich like, Mr. Hay allays lookin' after 'em."

"Did they ever visit Mr. Hay in July?"

"No, they didn't," snapped Matilda, with a change of tone which did not
escape Hurd; "and I don't know, sir, why you arsk them questions."

"My good woman, I ask no questions. If I do, you need not reply. Let us
change the subject. My sister tells me you make good curries in this
hotel."

"Hokar do, me bein' but a plain cook."

"Oh! He's an Indian?"

"Yes, he is, sir. A pore Indian castaway as missus took up with when he
come here drenched with rain and weary. Ah, missus was allays good and
kind and Christian-like."

Privately Hurd thought this description did not apply very well to the
lady in question, but he was careful not to arouse Matilda's suspicions
again by contradicting her. He pretended to joke. "I wonder you don't
marry this Indian, and keep him here always to make the curries I have
heard of."

"Me marry a black!" cried Matilda, tossing her rough head. "Well, sir, I
never," her breath failed her, "an' him goin' about the country."

"What do you mean by that?"

"What I say," said Miss Junk; "he'll stop here, Christian-like, for
days, and then go orf to sell things as a 'awker. My par was a 'awker,
sir, but a white, white man of the finest."

Hurd was about to ask another question when a husky voice was heard
singing somewhat out of tune. "What's that?" asked Hurd, irritably.

"Lor', sir, wot nervses you 'ave. 'Tis only Cap'n Jessop makin' hisself
'appy-like."

"Captain Jessop," Hurd laughed. He had run down his man at last.

CHAPTER XIX

CAPTAIN JESSOP

Apparently Matilda Junk was quite ignorant of anything being wrong about
her ladies, although she did shirk the question regarding their possible
visit to London in July. However, Hurd had learned that Grexon Hay not
only was an old friend, but had been engaged to Maud for many months.
This information made him the more certain that Hay had robbed Beecot of
the opal brooch at the time of the accident, and that it had passed from
Mr