France, and in the course of vending his wares about the country he
had discovered his old sweetheart, Louise Aubin, in service at the Manor
House. But her head had been turned by a succession of English admirers,
and she would have nothing to do with him. Legros waxed somewhat
incoherent about the personality of these swains, slurring over his
first efforts to defeat his rivals in a jumble of phrases, from which,
however sharp-witted Enid was able to form a distinct suspicion. Her
father had hinted that the murder of Levison might be connected with the
onion ship; she believed that she was shut up with the actual
perpetrator of the crime.

Bringing his narrative down to date, in explanation of his concealment
in the grounds of The Hut, Legros became more intelligible. Enid could
hardly believe her ears when it transpired that Mr. Travers Nugent
himself was the object of this half-demented creature's jealousy. She
was convinced that he was the victim of some ridiculous error, since to
associate the fastidious, middle-aged bachelor with a vulgar intrigue
with a lady's maid was the height of absurdity. But there was no doubt
that, however the misunderstanding had arisen, Legros was firmly
convinced of its truth.

He had of late found that Louise was paying frequent clandestine visits
to Nugent, and as a consequence he had spent much time in hanging about
and spying on them. That very morning he had crept from the moor into
the garden for the purpose, and he had been making his way through the
shrubbery when he heard Nugent's voice coming towards him. He had taken
refuge in the grotto, and had barely had time to conceal himself under
the mats when Nugent had entered, accompanied by the man who had just
now made them both prisoners by locking the door.

"They made plenty talk, ma'amselle, till my poor head ache," Legros
continued with that note of self-pity which seemed his leading
attribute. "And their talk was of 'the girl'--always the girl, and how
she was to be deported--is that your word?--in a steamer that would come
off the shore to-night. There was also talk of anozaire--a man, one
Jermicide--who was to be deported and made what you call decoy for
tempting her on to the steamer. The girl, _cela va sans dire_, is Louise
Aubin, and Nugent, he run off with her. I not rightly know where
Jermicide what you call come in, for I nevair heard of him. He must be
one more of the lovers of Louise. She raise 'em like the mushr