ced Rhoda regarding Ferruci's presence in the yard, by means of
the cloak, and who--it would seem--possessed the key to the whole
mystery?

Rhoda could tell no more but that he had stayed six months with Mrs.
Bensusan, and had departed two days after the murder; whereby it would
seem that his task having been completed, he had no reason to remain
longer in so dangerous a neighbourhood. Yet four months had elapsed
since his departure, and Denzil, after some reflection, asked Mrs.
Bensusan a question or two regarding this interval.

"Has Mr. Wrent returned here since his departure?" he demanded.

"Lawks! no, sir!" wheezed Mrs. Bensusan, shaking her head. "I've never
set eyes on him since he went. 'Ave you, Rhoda?" Whereat the girl shook
her head also, and watched Lucian with an intensity of gaze which
somewhat discomposed him.

"Did he owe you any money when he went, Mrs. Bensusan?"

"No, sir. He paid up like a gentleman. I always thought well of Mr.
Wrent."

"Rhoda doesn't seem to share your sentiments," said Denzil drily.

"No, I don't!" cried the servant, frowning. "I hated Mr. Wrent!"

"Why did you hate him?"

"Never you mind, sir," retorted Rhoda grimly. "I hated him."

"Yet he bought you this cloak."

"No, he didn't!" contradicted the girl. "He got it from the lady!"

"What!" cried Lucian sharply. "Are you sure of that?"

"I can't exactly swear to it," replied Rhoda, hesitating, "but it was
this way: The lady wore a cloak like that, and I admired it awful. She
had it on when she came, Christmas Eve, and she didn't wear it when I
let her out, and the next day Mr. Wrent gave it to me. So I suppose it
is the same cloak."

"And did the lady go out into the cold winter weather without the
cloak?"

"Yes; but she had a long cloth jacket on, sir, so I don't s'pose she
missed it."

"Was the lady agitated when she went out?"

"I don't know. She held her tongue and kept her veil down."

"Can you tell me anything more?" asked Lucian, anxious to make the
examination as exhaustive as possible.

"No, Mr. Denzil," answered Rhoda, after some thought, "I can't, except
that Mr. Wrent, long before Christmas, promised me a present, and gave
me the cloak then."

"Will you let me take this cloak away with me?"

"If you like," replied Rhoda carelessly. "I don't want it.'

"Oh, Rhoda!" wailed Mrs. Bensusan. "Your lovely, lovely rabbit skin!"

"I'll bring it back again," said Lucian hastily. "I only want to use i