. Hay's hands into those of the assassin.

"I wonder if Mrs. Krill murdered her husband in that cruel way," thought
the detective, sitting over his tea; "but what could have been her
object? She could have gone up on learning from Hay that Aaron Norman
was her husband--as I believe she did--and could then have made him give
her the money, by threatening him with the murder of Lady Rachel. I
daresay Aaron Norman in his Krill days did strangle that lady to get the
opal brooch and his wife could have used what she knew to govern him.
There was no need of murder. Hum! I'll see about getting the truth out
of Hay. Aurora," he cried. "Oh, there you are," he added, as she entered
the room. "I want you to go back to town this night."

"What for, Billy?"

"Can you get Hay into trouble?"

Aurora nodded. "I have proofs of his cheating Lord George and others,
if that's what you mean," she said; "but you didn't want them used."

"Nor do I. He's such an eel, he may wriggle out of our clutches. But
can't you give a party and invite Lord George and Hay, and then get them
to play cards. Should Hay cheat, denounce him to George Sandal."

"What good would that do?" asked Miss Qian, with widely open eyes.

"It will make Hay confess about the brooch to save himself from public
shame. His reputation is his life, remember, and if he is caught
red-handed cheating, he'll have to clear out of town."

"Pooh, as if that mattered. He's going to marry Miss Krill."

"If Miss Krill keeps the money, and I doubt if she will."

"But, Billy--"

"Never mind. Don't ask me any more questions, but go and pack. This
Captain Jessop is in the bar drinking. I may probably have to arrest
him. I got a warrant on the chance of finding him here. I can arrest him
on suspicion, and won't let him go until I get at the truth. Your
business is to bring Hay to his knees and get the truth out of him about
the opal serpent. You know the case?"

"Yes," grumbled Aurora, "I know the case. But I don't like this long
journey to-night."

"Every moment is precious. If I arrest Jessop, Matilda Junk will tell
her ladies, who will speak to Hay, and then he may slip away. As the
brooch evidence is so particular, and, as I believe he can give it, if
forced, you can see the importance of losing no time."

Miss Qian nodded and went away to pack. She wanted money and knew Billy
would give her a goodly share of the reward. In a few minutes Miss Junk,
of "The Red Pig," learned