erplexity.

"The brooch is no more direct evidence than the revolver and
handkerchief," continued Merrington. "The girl, unless she is a born
fool, is not likely to admit ownership of any one of them. She would be
putting the rope round her own neck to do so."

"I realize that," replied Caldew. "But I think that she might be trapped
into giving away that she owns the brooch. Women are very impulsive
where the loss of ornaments is concerned, and then their actions are
instinctive. I have frequently noticed it."

"And how do you propose to find out?" asked Merrington.

"By asking her."

"You'll get nothing out of this girl for the asking," replied
Merrington. "She runs deeper than that, or I am very much mistaken.
However, ask your own questions, by all means, after I have questioned
her about the revolver and the handkerchief. Let us get back to the
library."

They returned to the library. Sergeant Lumbe opened the door in response
to their knock, his face furrowed with the responsibilities of office.
Mother and daughter were sitting where they had left them, but the elder
woman had regained some measure of composure, and was staring drearily
in front of her. She did not look at the police officials as they
entered, but Hazel glanced towards them, and her eyes fell on the
revolver and handkerchief which Merrington carried in his hand. It
seemed to Caldew that her face remained unmoved. Merrington walked over
to her.

"You must consider yourself under arrest on a charge of murdering Mrs.
Heredith," he said, in quiet, almost conversational tones. "This
revolver and this handkerchief were found in your mother's sitting-room.
If you have any explanation to make you may do so, but it is my duty to
warn you that any statement you make now may be used in evidence against
you later on."

"I have nothing to say," replied the girl simply.

"You decline to say how this revolver came into your possession, or make
any explanation about the bloodstains on this handkerchief?"

"Yes."

"Do you also refuse to tell us what you have done with the brooch you
were wearing last night?" added Caldew.

The girl, with an impulsive instinctive gesture, hastily put her hand to
the neck of her blouse, then, realizing that she had unconsciously
betrayed herself, she let it fall slowly to her side.

CHAPTER XIV

The popular fallacy which likens circumstantial evidence to a chain
naturally found no acceptance in the mind of