initiative, "we met at that
inquest, I believe."

"Yes," said Hale, polite and smiling, "I remember, Mr. Jennings! I had
seen you here before, but I never knew your calling."

"I don't tell it to everyone," said Jennings, "How do you do, Mr.
Clancy? I hope you are well. An amusing place this."

"I need amusement," said Clancy, again assuming his silly smile, "since
the death of my dear friend. By the way, have you found out who killed
her, Mr. Jennings?"

"No. I fear the assassin will never be discovered." Here the two men
exchanged a glance. "I am engaged on other cases. There was only one
point I wished to learn in connection with Miss Loach's death."

"What is that?" asked Hale calmly.

"Was Mrs. Herne in Miss Loach's bedroom on that night?"

"I forget," said Clancy before Hale could speak.

"That's a pity," resumed Jennings. "You see from the fact of the bell
having been sounded, it struck me that the assassin may have been
concealed in the bedroom. Now if Mrs. Herne was in that room, she
might have noticed something."

"I don't think she did," said Hale hastily. "Mrs. Herne and I left
early, owing to Clancy here having offended her. Besides, Mrs. Herne
told all she knew at the inquest."

"All save that point."

"The question was not asked," said Clancy.

"No. I should like to ask Mrs. Herne now, but it seems she has gone
away from Hampstead."

"I don't care if she has," grumbled Clancy, "I hated Mrs. Herne. She
was always quarrelling. Did you call to see her?"

"Yes, but I could not learn where she was. Now, as you are her lawyer,
Mr. Hale, you may know."

"She is at Brighton," replied Hale readily, "at the Metropolitan Hotel,
but she returns to Hampstead in a week."

Jennings was secretly astonished at his question being thus answered,
as he was inclined to suspect the men. However, he took a note of the
address, and said he would attend to the matter. "But, to tell you the
truth, it is useless," he said. "The assassin will never be discovered.
Moreover, there is no reward, and I should only work for no wages. You
stay at Rose Cottage now, I believe, Mr. Clancy?"

"I do. Mrs. Pill has taken the place. Who told you?"

"I heard from Susan Grant. She was witness, if you remember. And has
Mrs. Pill married Barnes yet?"

"I can't say," said Clancy, looking keenly at the detective. "I am not
yet a boarder. I move in after a fortnight. I expect the marriage
will take place