ged his shoulders and rose to go. "Perhaps Mr. Hurd will
explain," he said, and made for the door.

Pash, with his monkey face much perplexed, sat hunched in his chair,
biting his fingers. As Paul laid his hand on the knob, he called him
back. "I can explain," he said nervously.

"Not to me," said Paul, coldly.

"I prefer to do so to you," said the lawyer, hurriedly.

"Why to me particularly."

"Because I don't think I have acted very well towards Miss Norman, and,
as you are to marry her, you may be able to arrange--"

"To make peace I suppose you mean," burst out Beecot; "no, Mr. Pash, you
have acted like a scoundrel. You left that poor girl in the lurch as
soon as you found that Miss Krill was--as you thought--legally entitled
to the money."

"What do you mean by hinting she isn't?"

"Because you know very well what her age is," retorted Paul. "This
matter will be shifted to the bottom, Mr. Pash, by my friend Ford, and
if things are as I think they are, Miss Krill won't keep that money. You
know very well--"

"Miss Norman won't get the money either," snarled Pash, "I know that
very well. Leastways," he added, "without my assistance."

"More of your crooked ways," said Paul, indignantly. "Tell what you like
to Hurd. I refuse to listen."

As he spoke he opened the door and found himself facing Hurd who was red
and hot. The detective stepped into the office, and as he passed Paul,
whispered, "Hold your tongue about the boy," then he turned to Mr. Pash.
"Well, sir," he puffed, "I have had a job catching up Mr. Beecot. No
doubt you know why I have come?"

"No," said Pash, dryly; "I don't see Tray."

"Tray will keep. I've got him safe under lock and key. Before bringing
you face to face with him I thought it best to give you an opportunity
of clearing yourself."

"Of what?" asked Pash, in a brazen manner.

Hurd looked at Beecot who spoke. "Mr. Pash knows very well that Tray
accuses him of the crime," he said. "I told him so, and he professed his
readiness to explain to you."

"Ah," said Hurd, "shut the door, Mr. Beecot. No need to let all London
know the truth."

"_I_ don't know it," said Pash, as Paul closed the door and returned to
his seat.

"Very good," rejoined the detective, calmly, "we'll assume for the sake
of argument that you did not strangle Norman."

"That I certainly did not."

"Then you know who did. Come, sir," Hurd became stern; "this boy Tray
says he gave the opal brooch to you.