, and then crossed to the boat. I never killed the
girl, by the memory of my mother!"

"You seem to be speaking the truth," said Giles quickly. "Did you enter
the library? The girl was killed by a stiletto torn from the trophy of
arms near the desk."

"I was not in the library. Morley would not allow me to enter. He and
Denham spoke to me on the terrace. When a noise was heard at the door--I
believe now it was Miss Anne who was entering--Morley gave me the tip to
get away."

"Was the stiletto in its place?"

"I don't know. I never noticed."

"Do you think Morley killed the girl?"

"Either he or Denham," replied Dane decisively; "and I think it was the
latter. When I heard of the crime being committed, I saw Mrs. Morley and
asked her if her husband was guilty. She denied it, saying that he was
in the library all the time. She came down and saw him."

"She might do that to save her husband."

Dane shook his head. "I don't think she was fond enough of him for that,
sir," he answered. "She was when he married her; but he treated her so
badly--as I was told by Denham--that she grew to hate him. He spent her
money, and behaved like the brute he is. For the sake of her children
she said nothing, but she was fond of Miss Kent, and I don't think she
would have defended him if a charge of killing the girl had been made."

"Did Mrs. Morley know anything about the gang?"

"No, she knew nothing. Morley always took good care to keep her in
ignorance. She knew no more of his secret life than Miss Anne did of
Denham's. Both men were very clever in concealing that which they did
not want to be known. But you believe that I am innocent of this
charge?"

"Yes. You can face Denham when you return and ask him what are his
grounds for accusing you."

"If ever I do come back," said Dane gloomily. And the conversation ended
for the time being.

Dane made himself very useful on board, and Calthorpe took quite a fancy
to him. In addition to his other gifts he proved to be an excellent
sailor. It seems that he had run away from home, and had worked for some
years before the mast as a common seaman. He now wished to do what he
could on board _The Firefly_, and chummed with the crew. So great a
favorite did he become with Calthorpe that when he asked to be allowed
to steer, the favor was readily granted to him, and he proved very
proficient. Certainly Calthorpe did not know he was a suspected murderer
and had been a thief, and neit