Mallow is set on the
marriage. He loves Miss Saxon with all his heart."

Maraquito uttered a low cry of rage, but managed to control herself
with an effort. "Do you?" she asked.

Caranby shrugged his thin shoulders. "I am neutral. So long as
Cuthbert marries the woman he loves, I do not mind."

"And what about the woman who loves him?"

"Miss Saxon? Oh, I am sure--"

"I don't mean Miss Saxon, and he will never marry her--never. You know
that Mr. Mallow is poor. Miss Saxon has no money--"

"Pardon me. I hear her aunt, Miss Loach, who was unfortunately
murdered at Rexton, has left her six thousand a year."

Senora Gredos turned quite pale and clenched her hands, but she managed
to control herself again with a powerful effort and masked the rage she
felt under a bland, false smile.

"Oh, that makes a difference," she said calmly. "I hope they will be
happy--if they marry," she added significantly.

"Oh, that is quite settled," said Caranby.

"There's many a slip between the cup and the lip," said Maraquito
viciously. "Yonder is Mr. Saxon. Tell him to come to me."

Caranby bowed and crossed the room to where Basil was talking with a
frowning face to Hale. "Don't bother me," he was saying, "it will be
all right now that the will has been read."

"For your own sake I hope it will be all right," replied Hale, and
Caranby caught the words as he came up. After giving his message, he
sauntered round, watching the play, and seemingly listened to no one.
But all the time he kept his ears open to hear what Hale and Clancy
were talking about.

The two men were in a corner of the room, and Clancy was expostulating
angrily with Hale. They held their peace when Caranby drifted near
them, he saw that they were on their guard. Looking round, he espied
Jennings playing at a side table, and crossed to him.

"Permit me to take your place," said Caranby, and added in a low tone,
"watch Hale and Clancy!"

Jennings seized the idea at once and surrendered the chair to the old
nobleman. Then he lighted a cigarette and by degrees strolled across
the room to where the two were again talking vigorously. "I tell you
if Basil is pressed too hard he will--" Clancy was saying, but shut his
mouth as he saw Jennings at his elbow. The detective came forward with
a smile, inwardly vexed that he had not been able to hear more. As he
advanced he saw Clancy touch Hale on the arm.

"How are you?" said Jennings, taking the