I
don't know that this woman Krill came to see you, through Hay, whose
lawyer you are? She was here on that fatal evening," said Hurd, making a
bold shot, "how did you prevent her seeing Norman?"

Pash was completely thrown off his balance by this volley of language
and presumption of knowledge. "Mrs. Krill left at six," he gasped,
backing to the wall.

"And carried off the brooch?"

"I'm not sure--I can't say--I _did_ miss the brooch--"

"After Mrs. Krill left?"

"No, when Norman came. I intended to show him the brooch and found it
gone."

"Mrs. Krill left at six. Between six and seven did any other client come
into the office?"

"Yes--no--I can't say. Well," Pash broke down in despair seeing that his
lies were not believed, "I think Mrs. Krill did steal the brooch."

"Quite so, and murdered her husband!" Hurd went to the door and took
Beecot's arm. "I only hope you won't be brought up as an accessory
before the fact, Mr. Pash," and disregarding the lawyer's exclamations
he dragged Paul outside. In Chancery Lane he spoke. "I've bluffed him
fine," he said, "that boy is lost. Can't see him anywhere. But we're
getting at the truth at last."

CHAPTER XXIV

MRS. KRILL AT BAY

Next day Hurd did not go to see Mrs. Krill as he had intended, but spent
his time in hunting for the missing boy. Tray, however, was not to be
found. Being a guttersnipe and accustomed to dealing with the police he
was thoroughly well able to look after himself, and doubtless had
concealed himself in some low den where the officers of the law would
not think of searching for him. However, the fact remained that, in
spite of the detective's search, he could not be caught, and the
authorities were much vexed. To unravel the case completely Tray was a
necessary witness, especially as, even when examined at Jubileetown,
Hurd shrewdly suspected he had not confessed all the truth. However,
what could be done was done, and several plain-clothes detectives were
set to search for the missing boy.

Pash remained quiet for, at all events, the next four-and-twenty hours.
Whether he saw Mrs. Krill or not during that time Hurd did not know and,
truth to say, he cared very little. The lawyer had undoubtedly acted
dishonestly, and if the matter were made public, there would be every
chance that he would be struck off the rolls. To prevent this Pash was
quite ready to sell Mrs. Krill and anyone else connected with the
mystery. Also, he wished