later have
killed Krill. I can't be sure, but I think he is the guilty person."

CHAPTER XVIII

AT CHRISTCHURCH, HANTS

The next afternoon Hurd was on his way to the former abode of Mrs.
Krill. During the journey he glanced at his notes and arranged what
inquiries he should make. It struck him as strange that Mrs. Krill
should have told Paul of her association with "The Red Pig," considering
the reputation of the place, in connection with Lady Rachel Sandal's
murder--or suicide. It would have been better had Mrs. Krill changed her
name by letters patent and have started a new life on her dead husband's
money. The detective could not understand the reason for this
unnecessary frankness.

Before leaving town he took the precaution to call on Pash and note down
a description of the sailor--presumably Jessop--who had tried to obtain
possession of the jewels on the morning after the crime had been
committed in Gwynne Street. He learned that the man (who had given no
name) was tall and stout, with the flushed skin of a habitual drinker of
strong waters, and reddish hair mixed with grey. He also had a scar
running from his right temple to his mouth, and although this was partly
concealed by a beard, yet it was distinctly visible. The man was dressed
in blue serge, carried his large hands slightly clenched, and rolled in
his gait. Hurd noted these things down, and had little doubt but what he
would recognize the man if he came across him. Connecting him with the
individual who had pawned the brooch at Stowley, Hurd fancied he might
be Jessop. He resolved to look for him in Southampton, as, judging from
the evidence given at the inquest on Lady Rachel's remains, that was the
port of call for the mariner.

At the station immediately before that of Christchurch, Hurd glanced at
a telegram which he produced out of his pocket-book, and then leaned out
of the carriage window. A pretty, daintily-dressed little woman saw him
and at once entered the carriage with a gay laugh. She was Miss Aurora
Qian, and Paul would have been considerably astonished had he overheard
her conversation with Mr. Hurd. But the detective and the actress had
the compartment to themselves, and talked freely.

"It's the safest place to talk in," explained Miss Qian, producing a bag
of chocolate and eating during the conversation. "Of course, I told the
landlady at 'The Red Pig' that my brother was coming down, so we can go
there right enough. But