ucian, looking at her composedly, "so you are the celebrated
Rhoda? I've heard of you."

"Not much good, then, sir, if Miss Greeb was talking," rejoined the
red-haired girl, with a sniff. "Oh, I know her."

"Rhoda! Rhoda!" bleated her mistress, "do 'old your tongue! I tell you
this gentleman's a police."

"He ain't!" said the undaunted Rhoda. "He's in the law. Oh, I knows
him!'

"Ain't the law the police, you foolish gal?"

"Of course it--" began Rhoda, when Lucian, who thought that she had
displayed quite sufficient eccentricity, cut her short with a quick
gesture.

"See here, my girl," he said sharply, "you must not behave in this
fashion. I have reason to believe that the assassin of Mr. Vrain entered
the house through the premises of your mistress."

"Lawks, what a 'orrible idear!" shrieked Mrs. Bensusan. "Good 'eavens,
Rhoda, did you see the murdering villain?"

"Me? No! I never sawr nothing, mum," replied Rhoda doggedly.

Lucian, watching the girl's face, and the uneasy expression in her eyes,
felt convinced she was not telling the truth. It was no use forcing her
to speak, as he saw very plainly that Rhoda was one of those obstinate
people whom severity only hardened. Much more could be done with her by
kindness, and Denzil adopted this--to him--more congenial course.

"If Rhoda is bound by any promise, Mrs. Bensusan, I do not wish her to
speak," he said indifferently, "but in the interests of justice I am
sure you will not refuse to answer my questions."

"Lord, sir! I know nothing!" whimpered the terrified landlady.

"Will you answer a few questions?" asked Denzil persuasively.

Mrs. Bensusan glanced in a scared manner at Rhoda, who, meanwhile, had
been standing in a sullen and hesitating attitude. When she thought
herself unobserved, she stole swift glances at the visitor, trying
evidently to read his character by observation of his face and manner.
It would seem that her scrutiny was favourable, for before Mrs. Bensusan
could answer Lucian's question she asked him one herself.

"What do you want to know, sir?"

"I want to know all about Mr. Wrent."

"Why?"

"Because I fancy he has something to do with this crime."

"Lord!" groaned Mrs. Bensusan. "'Ave I waited on a murderer?"

"I don't say he is a murderer, Mrs. Bensusan, but he knows something
likely to put us on the track of the criminal."

"What makes ye take up the case?" demanded Rhoda sharply.

"Because I know that Mr. Wrent ca