“No.  Because she thought the knife was mine, as it is, and that I was the man who climbed the wall.  I was on the spot.  I remember telling you that, when we met in the street, and you were afraid.  I see now why you asked me if I had been in the park at night.”

“I thought you might have spotted me.  When were you there?”

“About twenty minutes past ten.”

“Well, then, I was there at ten or a few minutes later.  I got away from the man who chased me some time before you came.  It was, as you say, at a quarter to eleven when I came back, and by that time I suppose you had gone.”

“I went over the opposite wall as you did,” said Cuthbert, “we must have run each other very close.”

“I expect we were in different parts of the park,” said Basil, “but I swear that I am telling you the truth.  I said nothing about this, as I was afraid of being arrested.  But, if you like, I’ll tell that detective Jennings what I told you.  He will help me.”

“My advice to you is to hold your tongue and keep silent.”

“But if I am traced?” stammered Basil.

“I shall say nothing,” said Mallow, “and Jennings has dropped the case.  I shall get the check from Hale, and you must go abroad.  I believe you are innocent.”

“Oh, thank you—­thank you—­”

“But you are a scoundrel for all that.  When I get you sent abroad and marry your sister, neither she nor I will have anything to do with you.  And if you come back to England, look out.”

CHAPTER XXI

AN EXPERIMENT

Next day Cuthbert received a letter from Jennings.  It intimated that Maraquito wished to see him that evening.  “If you will call at nine o’clock,” wrote the detective, “she will be alone.  The police have decided to close the gambling-house, and she is making preparations to leave England.  I understand she has something to tell you in connection with the death of Miss Loach, which it is as well you should hear.  A confession on her part may save you a lot of trouble in the future.”

Mallow hesitated to obey this summons.  He thought it was strange that Maraquito should get the detective to write to him, as he knew she mistrusted the man.  And, apart from this, he had no wish to see Senora Gredos again.  Things were now smooth between him and Juliet—­comparatively so—­and it would not do to rouse the girl’s jealousy.  Maraquito was a dangerous woman, and if he paid her a solitary visit, he might fall into some snare which she was quite capable of laying.  Such was her infatuation, that he knew she would stop at nothing to gain her ends.