"By George! can it be that Basil was near Rose Cottage on the night the crime was committed?
Juliet may know that, and so, fearful lest he should be accused of the murder, asked me to stop proceedings.

Can Basil Saxon be guilty?
No," Mallow shook his head and resumed his walk, "he has not pluck enough to kill a fly." After this he dismissed the matter from his thoughts and waited expectant of a letter from Juliet.

None came, and he was convinced that Basil had not delivered the message.

This being the case, Cuthbert determined to act for himself, and one afternoon went down to Rexton.

That same evening he had an appointment with Jennings, who was to bring Susan Grant to Mallow's rooms.