about this
place on the night of the--"

"Where are your proofs?" she gasped, recoiling.

"I have none. I am only speaking on chance. But Basil is in monetary
difficulties--he is in debt to Hale--he counted on you inheriting the
money of Miss Loach to pay his debts. He--"

"Stop! stop!" cried Juliet, the blood rising to her face, "this is only
supposition. You can prove nothing."

"Then why do you wish me to hold my tongue?"

"There is nothing for you to hold your tongue about," she answered
evasively. "You know nothing."

Cuthbert caught her hands and looked into her troubled eyes. "Do you,
Juliet--do you? Put an end to this mystery and speak out."

She broke from him and fled. "No," she cried, "for your sake I keep
silent. For your own sake stop the action of the detective."

CHAPTER IX

ANOTHER MYSTERY

When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found
Mallow in a state of desperation. Juliet's conduct perplexed the young
man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his
reason. He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had
someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

"What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was
wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

"Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses. I am glad you
have come, Jennings. Things are getting more mysterious every day. I
am determined to get to the bottom of this murder case if only for my
own peace of mind. I am with you heart and soul. I have the detective
fever with a vengeance. You can count on my assistance in every way."

"All right, my dear chap," said the other soothingly, "sit down and let
us have a quiet talk before this girl arrives."

"Susan Grant. I saw her to-day."

"Did you speak to her?"

"No. I only guessed that she was the girl you talked about from your
description and from the fact that she entered Rose Cottage."

"Ah," said Jennings, taking a seat, "so you have been down there?"

"Yes. I'll tell you all about it. I don't know if I'm sane or insane,
Jennings. When does this girl arrive?"

The detective glanced at his watch. "At half-past eight. She'll be
here in half an hour. Go on. What's up?"

"Read this," said Cuthbert, and passed along the note from Juliet. "I
received that immediately after you went the other night."

Jennings read the note with a thoughtful look, then laid it aside and
st