half-minded
to order him to instant execution. And Spargo was so impressed by her
that he made a profound bow and found a difficulty in finding his
tongue.

"Mr. Spargo?" she said in a deep voice which seemed peculiarly suited
to her. "Of, I see, the _Watchman_? You wish to speak to me?"

Spargo again bowed in silence. She signed him to the window near which
they were standing.

"Open the casement, if you please," she commanded him. "We will walk in
the garden. This is not private."

Spargo obediently obeyed her orders; she swept through the opened
window and he followed her. It was not until they had reached the
bottom of the garden that she spoke again.

"I understand that you desire to ask me some question about John
Maitland, of Market Milcaster?" she said. "Before you put it. I must
ask you a question. Do you wish any reply I may give you for
publication?"

"Not without your permission," replied Spargo. "I should not think of
publishing anything you may tell me except with your express
permission."

She looked at him gloomily, seemed to gather an impression of his good
faith, and nodded her head.

"In that case," she said, "what do you want to ask?"

"I have lately had reason for making certain enquiries about John
Maitland," answered Spargo. "I suppose you read the newspapers and
possibly the _Watchman_, Miss Baylis?"

But Miss Baylis shook her head.

"I read no newspapers," she said. "I have no interest in the affairs of
the world. I have work which occupies all my time: I give my whole
devotion to it."

"Then you have not recently heard of what is known as the Marbury
case--a case of a man who was found murdered?" asked Spargo.

"I have not," she answered. "I am not likely to hear such things."

Spargo suddenly realized that the power of the Press is not quite as
great nor as far-reaching as very young journalists hold it to be, and
that there actually are, even in London, people who can live quite
cheerfully without a newspaper. He concealed his astonishment and went
on.

"Well," he said, "I believe that the murdered man, known to the police
as John Marbury, was, in reality, your brother-in-law, John Maitland.
In fact, Miss Baylis, I'm absolutely certain of it!"

He made this declaration with some emphasis, and looked at his stern
companion to see how she was impressed. But Miss Baylis showed no sign
of being impressed.

"I can quite believe that, Mr. Spargo," she said coldly. "It is no