“Yes, I believe—­I believe—­” Hale’s voice was getting weaker and weaker.  “She did ring—­bell—­then closed floor.  Servant came—­I—­I—­” he stopped and his head fell back.  Suddenly he half rose and looked wildly into blank space.  “Maraquito,” he cried strongly, “the game’s at an end.  Fly, my love, fly.  We have fought and—­and—­lost.  Maraquito, oh my—­” his voice died away.  He stretched out his hand, fell back and died with a look of tender love on his pallid face.

“Poor wretch!” said Slane pityingly, “at least he loved truly.”

CHAPTER XXIV

REVENGE

The capture of the coiners caused an immense sensation, and the papers were filled with descriptions of the raid.  Jennings came in for much congratulation, and his feat considerably improved his position with the authorities.  He was confined to his bed for some days by his wound and, meanwhile, events transpired in which he would have been considerably interested had he heard of them.  They had to do with Maraquito.

Since her flight from the Soho house nothing had been heard of her, although every inquiry had been made.  Guessing that Jennings knew much more than was suspected, she was wise enough not to go to the Rexton factory, and congratulated herself on her foresight when she read the accounts of the raid in the papers.  But she was furiously angry at losing all, when on the point of realizing her desires.  She had sent her money to be banked abroad; she hoped, by means of threats to induce Mallow to give up Juliet, and she had trusted to win his love by assiduous attentions.  But the trick played by Jennings which revealed her deception, and the raid on the factory and the consequent death of Hale, upset her plans, and caused her to take refuge in hiding.  She did not fear being arrested, especially as her arch-enemy, the detective, was confined to bed, so she had time to make her plans.  Maraquito particularly wished to revenge herself on Mallow and Juliet.  She still loved the young man as much as ever, despite his contemptuous rejection of her suit.  But she blamed Juliet Saxon for the hardening of his heart, and it was on the girl that she determined to revenge herself.  At first she intended to call at the “Shrine of the Muses,” but thinking she would meet with opposition from Mrs. Octagon, likely to prevent the realization of her malignant wishes, she changed her mind.  It was no use visiting Mallow, as with him she could do nothing.  Therefore she resolved to write to Lord Caranby and arrange a meeting with Juliet at his rooms in the Avon Hotel.  Then, when in the presence of the girl, she hoped to revenge herself in a way likely to cause Mallow exquisite pain.