It was a pearl-handled knife belonging to the writing desk found open on her table, and its frail and dainty character proved indisputably, that it was employed by the girl herself, and that against manifest enemies; no man being likely to snatch up any such puny weapon for the purpose either of offence or defence.

That these enemies were two and were both men, was insisted upon by Mrs.Daniels who overheard their voices the night before.
"Mr.Blake, such facts as these arouse curiosity, especially when the master of the house being introduced upon the scene, he fails to manifest common human interest, while his housekeeper betrays in every involuntary gesture and expression she makes use of, her horror if not her fear of his presence, and her relief at his departure.

Yes," he exclaimed, unheeding the sudden look here cast him by Mr.Blake, "and curiosity begets inquiry, and inquiry elucidated further facts such as these, that the mysterious master of the house was in his garden at the hour of the girl's departure, was even looking through the bars of his gate when she, having evidently escaped from her captors, came back with every apparent desire to reenter her home, but seeing him, betrayed an unreasonable amount of fear and fled back even into the very arms of the men she had endeavored to avoid.

Did you speak sir ?" asked Mr.Gryce suddenly stopping, with a sly look at his left boot tip.
Mr.Blake shook his head.

"No," said he shortly, "go on." But that last remark of Mr.Gryce had evidently made its impression.
"Inquiry revealed, also, two or three other interesting facts.