ded the address, which Hurd gave
readily enough. He thought that if Matilda knew anything--such as the
absence of Mrs. Krill from the hotel during the early part of
July--Deborah might induce her to talk freely.

Hokar had proved a difficult subject. Whether he was too grateful to
Mrs. Krill to speak out, or whether he really did not understand what
was asked of him, he certainly showed a talent for holding his tongue.
However, Hurd saw well enough that the man was afraid of the Sahib's
law, and when matters came to a crisis would try and prove his innocence
even at the cost of implicating others. Therefore, with an easy mind the
detective left these two witnesses being watched at Christchurch and
repaired to town, where Aurora informed him of the interview with Hay.
Billy approved of the way in which his sister had managed matters.

"I guessed that Hay was the man who put Mrs. Krill on the track of her
husband," he said, with satisfaction; "but I wasn't quite sure how he
spotted the man."

"Oh, the one eye identified him," said Aurora, who was eating chocolate
as usual, "and Norman's fainting at the sight of the brooch confirmed
Hay's belief as to who he was. I wonder he didn't make a bargain with
Norman on his own."

Hurd shook his head. "It wouldn't have paid so well," said he, wisely.
"Norman would have parted only with a small sum, whereas this murder
will bring in Hay a clear five thousand a year when he marries the girl.
Hay acted cleverly enough."

"But I tell you Hay has nothing to do with the murder."

"That may be so, though I don't trust him. But Mrs. Krill might have
strangled her husband so as to get the money."

"What makes you think she did?" asked Aurora, doubtfully.

"Well, you see, from what Jessop says, Mrs. Krill is devotedly attached
to Maud, and she may have been anxious to revenge her daughter on Krill.
He acted like a brute and fastened the child's lips together, so Mrs.
Krill treated him in the same way."

"Hum," said Miss Qian, reflectively, "but can you prove that Mrs. Krill
was in town on the night of the murder?"

"That's what I'm going to find out," said Hurd. "All you have to do is
to keep your eyes on Hay--"

"Oh, he won't cut, if that's what you mean. He thinks everything is
square, now that I've got those boys to stop chattering. He'll marry
Maud and annex the money."

"He may marry Maud," said Hurd, emphatically, "but he certainly won't
get the five thousand a year. Mis