It was no use forcing her to speak, as he saw very plainly that Rhoda was one of those obstinate people whom severity only hardened.

Much more could be done with her by kindness, and Denzil adopted this--to him--more congenial course.
"If Rhoda is bound by any promise, Mrs.Bensusan, I do not wish her to speak," he said indifferently, "but in the interests of justice I am sure you will not refuse to answer my questions." "Lord, sir! I know nothing!" whimpered the terrified landlady.
"Will you answer a few questions ?" asked Denzil persuasively.
Mrs.Bensusan glanced in a scared manner at Rhoda, who, meanwhile, had been standing in a sullen and hesitating attitude.

When she thought herself unobserved, she stole swift glances at the visitor, trying evidently to read his character by observation of his face and manner.
It would seem that her scrutiny was favourable, for before Mrs.Bensusan could answer Lucian's question she asked him one herself.
"What do you want to know, sir ?" "I want to know all about Mr.Wrent." "Why ?" "Because I fancy he has something to do with this crime." "Lord!" groaned Mrs.Bensusan.

"'Ave I waited on a murderer ?" "I don't say he is a murderer, Mrs.Bensusan, but he knows something likely to put us on the track of the criminal." "What makes ye take up the case ?" demanded Rhoda sharply.
"Because I know that Mr.Wrent came to board in this house shortly after Mr.Vrain occupied No.

13," replied Denzil.
"Who says he did ?" "Miss Greeb, my landlady, and she also told me that he left here two days after the murder." "That's as true as true!" cried Mrs.Bensusan, "ain't it, Rhoda?
We lost him 'cause he said he couldn't abide living near a house where a crime had been committed." "Well, then," continued Lucian, seeing that Rhoda, without speaking, continued to watch him, "the coincidence of Mr.Wrent's stay with that of Mr.Vrain's strikes me as peculiar." "You are a sharp one, you are!" said Rhoda, with an approving nod.