walls have ears. I don't think railway carriages
have, though, and we have much to say, Billy."

"Have you found out anything, Aurora?" asked Hurd.

Miss Qian nodded. "A great deal considering I have been in the place
only twenty-four hours. It's a good thing I'm out of an engagement,
Billy, or I shouldn't have time to leave London or to look after that
man Hay. I _am_ a good sister."

"Well, you are. But there's money in the business also. If I can get
that thousand pounds, you'll have your share."

"I know you'll treat me straight, Billy," said the actress, with much
satisfaction. "I always say that my brother is as square a man as I
know."

"The deuce you do," said Hurd, rather vexed. "I hope you don't go
telling everyone that I am your brother, Aurora?"

"Only one or two special friends--not Hay, you may be sure. Nor does
that nice Mr. Beecot know that we are brother and sister."

"You'd best keep it dark, and say nothing, Aurora. It's just as well you
left the private detective business and went on the stage. You talk too
much."

"Oh, no, I don't," retorted Miss Qian, eating a sweet. "Don't be nasty,
Billy, or I'll tell you nothing."

Her brother shrugged his shoulders. He was very fond of Aurora, but he
saw her many faults, and she certainly had too long a tongue for one
engaged in private matters. "What about Hay?" he asked.

Aurora raised her eyes. "I thought you wanted to know of my discoveries
at Christchurch," she said, pouting.

"Well, I do. But Hay?--"

"Oh, he's all right. He's going to marry Miss Krill and her money, and
is getting cash together by fleecing young Sandal. That fool _will_
play, and keeps losing his money, although I've warned him."

"Then don't warn him. I wish to catch Hay red-handed."

"Ah," Miss Qian nodded, "you may catch him red-handed in a worse matter
than gambling."

"Aurora, you don't mean to say he has anything to do with the murder of
Aaron Norman?"

"Well, I don't go so far as to say that, Billy. But when I got settled
in the private sitting-room of 'The Red Pig' on the plea that I had come
down for a change of air, and expected my brother--"

"Which you do without any lies."

"Yes, that's all right, Billy," she said impatiently. "Well, the first
thing I clapped eyes on was a portrait of Grexon Hay in a silver frame
on the mantelpiece."

"Hum," said Hurd, nursing his chin in his hand, "he may have given that
to Miss Krill during the engagement."

"I d