To-day she asked me to stop proceedings for my own sake, which shows that she thinks me guilty.

I could not get a further explanation from her, as she ran away.

Hang it!" Cuthbert jumped up angrily, "if she'd only tell me the truth and speak straight out.

I can't understand this silence on her part." "I can," said Jennings promptly, "in some way Basil is mixed up in the matter, and his accusing you means his acknowledging that he was near Rose Cottage on the night of the crime.

He funks making so damaging an admission." "Ah, I daresay," said Cuthbert, "particularly as he quarrelled with his aunt a week before the death." "Did he quarrel with her ?" "Of course.