ht in the dinner with her own fair hands, and explained
that Hokar had made the curry, but she didn't think it was as good as
usual. "The man's shakin' like a jelly," said Matilda. "I don't know
why."

The detective nodded, but did not encourage conversation. He was quite
sure that Hokar was being watched by the smooth-faced policeman, and
could not get away. Besides, he wished to talk to Captain Jessop. Miss
Junk, seeing that she was not needed, retreated, after bringing in the
curry, and left the gentlemen to help themselves. So here was Hurd in a
pleasant room, seated before a well-spread table, and with a roaring
fire at his back, waiting his opportunity to make Captain Jarvey Jessop
confess his share in the dual murders of Lady Rachel Sandal and Aaron
Norman.

CHAPTER XX

PART OF THE TRUTH

Captain Jessop ate as greedily as he drank strong waters, and did full
justice to the curry, which was really excellent. Hurd did not broach
any unpleasant topic immediately, as he wished the man to enjoy his
meal. If Jessop was guilty, this dainty dinner would be the last of its
kind he would have for many a long day. Moreover, Hurd wished to learn
more of the mariner's character, and plied him with questions, which the
unsuspecting sailor answered amiably enough.

"Me an' you might become mates, as it were," said Jessop, extending his
large hand again and again. "Put it there."

"Well, we'd want to know something more about one another to become real
mates," laughed Hurd.

"Oh, you're a commercial traveller, as you say, and I'm the captain of
as fine a barkey as ever sailed under Capricorn. Leastways I was, afore
I gave up deep-sea voyages."

"You must miss the ocean, living at Stowley."

"Inland it is," admitted the mariner, pulling out a dirty clay pipe, at
the conclusion of the meal, "and ocean there ain't round about fur
miles. But I've got a shanty there, and live respectable."

"You are able to, with the stand-by," hinted Hurd.

Jessop nodded and crammed black tobacco, very strong and rank, into the
bowl of his pipe with a shaking hand. "It ain't much," he admitted;
"folks being stingy. But if I wants more," he struck the table hard, "I
can get it. D'ye see, Mister Commercial?"

"Yes, I see," replied Hurd, coolly. Jessop was again growing cross, and
the detective had to be careful. He knew well enough that next morning,
when sober, Jessop would not be so disposed to talk, but being muzzy, he
opene