"Here it is," said Link, pointing to the manuscript on the table; "but
it is too long to read, so I shall just tell you briefly what Rhoda
confessed, and how she committed the crime."

"Go on! I am most anxious to hear, Link!"

"Well, Mr. Denzil, you know that Rhoda was in the habit of visiting No.
13 by night and amusing herself by wandering about the empty rooms,
although I don't know what pleasure she found in doing so. It seems that
when Clear became the tenant of the house, Rhoda was very angry, as his
presence interfered with her midnight capers. However, on seeing his
rooms--for Clear found her one night, and took her in to show them to
her--she was filled with admiration, and with true gypsy instinct wanted
to steal some of the ornaments. She tried to pocket a silver paper-knife
on that very night Clear was so hospitable to her, but she was not sharp
enough, and the man saw the theft. In a rage at her dishonesty he turned
her out of the room, and swore that he would thrash her if she came into
his presence again."

"Did the threat keep Rhoda away?"

"Not it. I am sure you saw enough of that wildcat to know nothing would
frighten her. She certainly did not thrust herself personally on Clear,
but whenever his back was turned she took to stealing things out of his
room, when he was foolish enough to leave the door open. Clear was much
enraged, and complained to Clyne--known to Rhoda as Wrent--who in his
turn read the girl a sharp lecture.

"But having shown Clyne the cellarway into the house, Miss Rhoda knew
too much, and laughed in Clyne's face. He did not dare to make her
thefts public, or complain to Mrs. Bensusan, lest Rhoda should tell of
the connection between him and the tenant of the Silent House, who
passed under the name of Berwin. Therefore, he told Clear to keep his
sitting-room door locked."

"A wise precaution, with that imp about," said Lucian. "I hope Clear was
sensible enough to adopt it."

"Yes, and no. When he was sober he locked the door, and when drunk he
left it open, and Rhoda looted at will. And now comes the more important
part of the confession. You remember that Clyne left the stiletto from
Berwin Manor on Clear's table?"

"Yes, with the amiable intention that the poor devil should kill
himself. He left it on Christmas Eve, too--a pleasant time for a man to
commit suicide!"

"Of course, the intention was horrible!" said Mr. Link, gravely. "Some
people might think such an act