ker. I think
if I describe you--and you are rather a noticeable man, Captain
Jessop--he will recognize the individual who pawned an opal serpent
brooch with him shortly after the death of Lady Rachel Sandal, to whom
the said brooch belonged."

"It's a lie," said Jessop hoarsely, and sober enough now.

"Quite so, and perhaps it is also a lie that a man resembling yourself
tried to get certain jewellery from a lawyer called Pash--"

Jessop lost his self-control, which he was trying desperately to
preserve, and rose to his feet, white-faced and haggard. "Who are you?"
he shouted, "who are you?"

"Doesn't the warrant tell you," replied his companion, not at all upset.
"My name is Billy Hurd. I am the detective in charge of the Norman
murder case. And I've been looking for you for a long time, Mr. Jessop."

"I know nothing about it."

"Yes, you do; so sit down and talk away."

"I'll break your head," cried the captain, swinging his huge fists.

"Try," Hurd whipped out his revolver, but did not rise, "at the risk of
getting a bullet through you. Pshaw, man, don't be a fool. I'm making
things as easy for you as possible. Create a disturbance, and I'll hand
you over to the police. A night in the village lock-up may cool your
blood. Sit down I tell you."

The sailor showed his teeth like those of a snarling dog and made as to
strike the seated detective; but suddenly changing his mind, for he saw
well enough in what danger he stood, he dropped into his chair, and,
covering his face with his hands, groaned aloud. Hurd put away his
revolver. "That's better," said he, pleasantly; "take a tot of rum and
tell me all you know."

"I'm innocent," groaned Jessop.

"Every man is innocent until convicted by a jury," said Hurd, calmly.
"Consider me a jury and I'll size up your case, when I hear all. Are you
innocent of both murders?"

"Lady Rachel committed suicide," said Jessop, raising a haggard face.
"Yes--I stick to that, sir. As to Krill's death in London, I didn't
touch him; I swear I didn't."

"But you saw him on that night?"

"How can you prove that?"

"Very simply. Norman--or Krill if you prefer the old name--took certain
jewellery to Pash for safe keeping shortly before his death. You
presented to Pash a paper, undeniably written and signed by the old man,
saying that the jewellery was to be given up to bearer. Now, before
taking the jewellery to Pash, Krill could not have written that paper,
so you must have s