Mallow was a handsome fellow, tall and slim, with a rather military carriage.  His face was clean-shaven save for a small straw-colored moustache, which showed up almost white against the bronze of his face.  He was more of an athlete than a student, and this was one reason why Juliet was fond of him.  She had seen so much of literary circles that she always vowed she would marry a man who never opened a book.  Cuthbert nearly fulfilled this requirement, as he read little, save novels and newspapers.  He was well known in sporting circles, and having a good private income, owned race-horses.  He was always irreproachably dressed, good-humored and cheerful.  Consequently he was popular, and if not overburdened with brains, managed to make himself agreeable to the world, and to have what the Americans call “a good time.”  He had travelled much and was fond of big-game shooting.  To complete his characterization, it is necessary to mention that he had served in the Boer War, and had gained a D.S.O.  But that was in the days before he met Juliet or he might not have risked a life so precious to her.

Juliet was dark and rather little, not at all like her Junoesque mother.  She was extremely pretty and dressed to perfection.  Having more brains and a stronger will than Mallow, she guided him in every way, and had already succeeded in improving his morals.  With so gentle and charming a mentor, Cuthbert was quite willing to be led into the paths of virtue.  He adored Juliet and she loved him, so it appeared that the marriage would be quite ideal.

“Much as we love one another,” said Cuthbert when the lovers were seated on the sofa.  “I wonder you can talk of anything but this horrid murder.”

“Because there is nothing to talk of,” rejoined the girl impatiently; “according to Basil, the case is most mysterious, so it is useless for us to worry over it until something tangible is discovered.  But I want to speak to you seriously—­” here Juliet hesitated.

“Well, go on,” said Cuthbert, taking her hand.

“Mother says—­” began Juliet, then hesitated again.  “Promise me you will keep to yourself what I am about to tell you.”

“Certainly.  I never was a fellow to chatter.”

“Then mother says that this murder will put a stop to our marriage.”

Mallow stared, then flushed up to his ears.  “What on earth does she mean by that?” he asked aghast.

Juliet looked searchingly at him.  “Do you know of any impediment?”

“I?  Of course I don’t.  I am sorry for the death of your aunt, but I really don’t see what it has to do with you and me.”

Juliet drew a breath of relief.  “Mother hints that she knows who committed the crime, and—­”

“What!  She knows.  How does she know?”

“I can’t say.  She refuses to speak.  She was not on good terms with Aunt Selina and they never saw one another for over fifteen years.  But mother is much disturbed about the murder—­”