say nothing. Only to save
myself will I speak."

Ware addressed a few hurried words to the detective, who nodded
reluctantly. It was Giles who spoke. "I promise that you shall not be
put in gaol, Dane," he said, "but you must tell the truth."

"If I do so I am in danger of my life."

"Then it is not gratitude that keeps you silent?"

"Gratitude!" said Dane, flinging back his head, "what have I to be
grateful for? Mr. Franklin----"

"You mean Denham," interposed Olga quickly.

"Denham!" echoed Steel, "that is the father of the governess."

"No," said Giles, "Anne's father is dead. This man Denham pretended to
play the part, and she has only lately been undeceived. Also, Mr. Steel,
you must know that there is no Walter Franklin. The man at the Priory
is the scoundrel you know as Wilson, the head of the Scarlet Cross
Society and the murderer of Miss Kent."

"Not that last," interposed Dane, while Steel dropped into a seat
transfixed with astonishment. "Denham did not kill her. He does not know
who did. He told me so."

"He would tell you anything to save himself," said Olga.

"No," replied Dane, "he tells me all his secrets. At one time I should
have died before I revealed them, but Denham has treated me cruelly. I
owe him no gratitude. For years I slaved for him. I did all that a man
could do for his sake. What reward have I got? He has beaten me like a
dog. He has left me to starve. He has delivered me up to those members
of our society who hate me. Since he came in for this money----"

"Wrongfully," put in Giles.

"As you say, sir--wrongfully. But since he became George Franklin and a
wealthy man, he told me plainly that he washed his hands of me. He gave
me a small sum, and sent me to America, promising an annuity. It was not
paid. I wrote--I threatened. He laughed at me. So I have come back from
America to punish him." He turned to Olga and continued vehemently, "Do
you think that I would have told you what I did, Princess, had I not
hated the man? No. Not even for the love I bear you would I have done
that. You sent me to Mr. Steel at Bournemouth. I knew that he was a
detective, and went prepared to tell all about Denham's wickedness, even
although I incriminated myself."

"But you did not do so," said Steel dryly; "you ran away."

"And why? Because you mentioned that you suspected Miss Denham of a
crime. I held my tongue until I could see some chance of proving her
innocence. Had I told you all I k