“I do not mind,” said Juliet.  “But now that I know you are really innocent, and I take shame to myself for having doubted you, I am willing to marry you, even though my mother withholds her consent.”

“My darling!” Cuthbert folded the girl in his arms and kissed her.  “I now know that you truly love me.  Indeed, I never doubted you.”

“But I doubted myself,” said Juliet tearfully.  “I should never have suspected you, even though the evidence was so strong.”

“You lost your head for the moment,” said her lover, “but don’t let us talk any more about the matter.  I shall pacify Jennings and get him to drop the case.  Then we will marry and take a tour round the world so as to forget these unpleasant matters.”

“Yes, that is best,” said Juliet, and the two walked towards the door.

They should have been completely happy now that all misunderstandings were cleared up, but each wore a gloomy expression.  Apparently the shadow of Miss Loach’s death still clouded the sunshine of their lives.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS

Jennings was at breakfast in his rooms, considering what he should do next in connection with the case.  As yet he had not heard from Cuthbert with regard to the interview with Juliet.  The detective waited upstairs in Le Beau’s sitting-room for the conclusion of the meeting, but when Mallow never appeared he went down.  Then he learned from Peggy, who was in the office, that the lovers had been gone for some time “I thought you knew,” said Miss Garthorne.

“No,” replied Jennings, “I did not know,” and then, since he had no further reason to remain, he took his departure also, wondering why Mallow had not come to report the matter.

That same evening he sought out Mallow, but was unable to find him at his accustomed haunts.  More perplexed than ever, Jennings, leaving a note at Mallow’s rooms, had returned to his own.  He could make no new move until he heard from Mallow, and the young man did not appear inclined to give any assistance.  Next morning, while at breakfast, he expected his friend, but still there was no appearance of the visitor.  A ring came to the door and Jennings thought that this was Cuthbert at last.  He was distinctly disappointed when Drudge made his appearance.

“Well,” said Jennings sharply, “what is it?”

“I followed the lady you saw, sir.”

“Mrs. Herne?  Yes.”

“She left her house in Hampstead and walked down the hill.  There she took a cab.  I followed in another.  Her cab stopped at the house of Maraquito in Soho.  Since then I have been watching the house, but I have not seen Mrs. Herne again.”

“She is Senora Gredos’ aunt,” explained Jennings, “so I expect she is stopping with her.”

“No, sir, she isn’t.  I made friends with a boy called Gibber—­”