“A week after the crime was committed.”

“Well,” said Cuthbert, rather pained, “I can hardly blame you.  But if you loved me—­”

“I do love you,” she said with a passionate cry.  “Have I not proved my love by bearing—­as I thought—­your burden?  Could I do more?  Would a woman who loves as I do accuse the man she loves of a horrible crime?  I strove to shield you from your enemies.”

“I thought you were shielding Basil.  Jennings thought so also.”

Juliet drew back, looking paler than ever.  “What do you know of him.”

“Very little,” said Cuthbert quickly.  “Was he at Rose Cottage on the night in question?”

“No.  He was not there.  I did not see him.”

“Yet he was at the Marlow Theatre with you.”

“Yes.  He left the theatre before I did.”

“Sit down, Juliet, and tell me exactly how you came to be at Rose Cottage on that night and why you went.”

Miss Saxon seated herself and told all she knew.  “It was this way,” she said, with more calmness than she had hitherto shown.  “Basil and I went to see this new melodrama written by Mr. Arkwright—­”

“What?  The man Mrs. Octagon wishes you to marry?”

“Yes.  He has written a play to make money.  My mother was angry, as she thought such a thing was not worthy of him.  He sent her a box.  She refused to go, so Basil and I went.  But the play was so dull that Basil left early, saying he would come back for me.”

“Do you know where he went?”

“No.  He did not say.  Well, the play became worse instead of better.  I was weary to death, so I thought as the theatre was near Rexton, that I would go and see Aunt Selina.  Then I hoped to return to the box and meet Basil.  I was told the play, being a long one, would not be over till midnight.  I left the theatre at a quarter past ten.  It took fifteen minutes to drive to the cottage.  Then I entered quietly to give aunt a surprise.”

“Ah!  It was you opening the door that Thomas heard.”

“Yes!  At half-past ten; I had a latch-key.  Aunt Selina loved me very much and wanted me to come and see her whenever I could.  So that I could come and go at pleasure without troubling the servants, she gave me a latch-key.  I happened to have it in my pocket.  I really wished to see her about this quarrel she had with Basil.”

“What was this quarrel about?”

Juliet deliberated before replying.  “It was a small thing,” she said at length.  “Aunt Selina was fond of Basil and often gave him money.  Mr. Octagon doesn’t allow Basil much, and mother has enough to do to make both ends meet.  Basil is, I fear, extravagant.  I know he gambles, though he never told me where he went—­”

“To Maraquito’s,” said Cuthbert.  “I have met him there.”

“I know,” said Juliet in rather a reproachful tone.  “I wish you would not gamble, Cuthbert.”