in
health because of her daughter's terrible end, has gone back with her
husband to live at his house in Stowley."

"What," shouted Beecot senior, "is that she-devil to go free, too?"

"I don't think she was so bad as we thought," said Paul. "I fancied she
was a thoroughly bad woman, but she really was not. She certainly
committed bigamy, but then she thought Jessop was drowned. When he came
to life she preferred to live with Krill, as he had more money than
Jessop."

"And, therefore, Jessop, as you say, had free quarters at 'The Red Pig.'
A most immoral woman, sir--most immoral. She ought to be ducked."

"Poor wretch," said Paul, "her mind has nearly given way under the shock
of her daughter's death. She loved that child and shielded her from the
consequences of killing Lady Rachel. The Sandal family don't want the
case revived, especially as Maud is dead, so Mrs. Jessop--as she is
now--can end her days in peace. The Government decided to let her go
under the circumstances."

"Tush," said Beecot senior, "sugar-coated pills and idiocy. Nothing will
ever be done properly until this Government goes out. And it will,"
striking the table with his fist, "if I have anything to do with the
matter. So Mrs. Krill or Jessop is free to murder, and--"

"She murdered no one," interposed Paul, quickly; "she knew that her
daughter had killed Lady Rachel, and shielded her. But she was never
sure if Maud had strangled Krill, as she feared to ask her. But as the
girl was out all night at the time of the murder, Mrs. Jessop, I think,
knows more than she choses to admit. However, the Treasury won't
prosecute her, and her mind is now weak. Let the poor creature end her
days with Jessop, father. Is there anything else you wish to know?"

"That boy Tray?"

"He was tried for being an accessory before the crime, but his counsel
put forward the plea of his age, and that he had been under the
influence of Maud. He has been sent to a reformatory for a good number
of years. He may improve."

"Huh!" grunted the old gentleman, "and silk purses may be made out of
sow's ears; but not in our time, my boy. We'll hear more of that
juvenile scoundrel yet. Now that, that blackguard, Hay?"

"He has gone abroad, and is likely to remain abroad. Sandal and Tempest
kept their word, but I think Hurd put it about that Hay was a cheat and
a scoundrel. Poor Hay," sighed Paul, "he has ruined his career."

"Bah! he never had one. If you pity scoundrels, P