eserve, instantly detected by the woman's quick ear and quicker
mind, into the speaker's voice. "And I had a great regard for your
husband's late employer, Colonel Crofton," he added.

"Aye, 'e was a good gentleman and no mistake," said Mrs. Piper feelingly.

She was wondering how far she dare go. She knew the man walking by her
side was very rich; Piper had called him a millionaire.

"I 'ope you won't think me troublesome, sir, if I tells you 'ow matters
are between Mrs. Crofton and my 'usband?"

There came no immediate answer to her question. Still she decided to go
on.

"Piper was with the Colonel a long time, sir. And after the poor
gentleman's death Mrs. Crofton promised Piper that she'd oblige 'im in
the matter of financing 'is new business."

Radmore was very much surprised. He felt certain that Enid Crofton had
no money to spare, then he told himself that women are sometimes very
foolish, especially if any matter of sentiment is in question. But
somehow he would not have thought that particular woman would ever be
tempted to show herself impulsively generous.

"You spoke just now, Mrs. Piper, as if there was some doubt about the
money?"

"Did I, sir? Well, one can never tell in this world. But I think Mrs.
Crofton _will_ find the money." She added, almost in a whisper, "It's to
'er interest to do so, sir."

"To her interest?" repeated Radmore. "What exactly do you mean?"

"I don't quite understand it myself, sir." Mrs. Piper spoke with a touch
of light indifference in her voice, "Piper don't tell me very much. I was
in Islington, conducting a little business I've got, when Colonel Crofton
came by 'is sad death. Mrs. Crofton spoke to Piper most feelingly, sir,
about the service 'e'd done her by what 'e said at the inquest. I've
always 'ad my belief, sir, that Piper might 'ave said something more and
different that would have been, maybe, awkward for Mrs. Crofton." She
waited a moment, realising that she had burnt her boats. "Do you take my
meaning, sir?"

"No," said Radmore sternly, "I don't take your meaning at all, Mrs.
Piper. I don't in the least understand what you meant to imply just now."

A most disturbing suspicion had begun to assail him. Was this woman, with
her low, mincing voice, and carefully chosen words, something of a
blackmailer?

They walked on in silence for a few minutes, and on her side, Mrs. Piper
began to doubt very much whether she had acted for the best in being so
honest-