However, there was no doubt in his mind that the refusal of Mrs. Octagon to approve of the marriage lay in the fact that her sister had met with a violent end.  Therefore Mallow was determined to see Jennings, and help him to the best of his ability to discover the assassin.  When the criminal was brought to justice, either Mrs. Octagon’s opposition would be at an end, or the true reason for its existence would be revealed.  Meantime, he was sure that she would keep Juliet out of his way, and that in future he would be refused admittance to the “Shrine of the Muses.”  This was annoying, but so long as Juliet remained true, Cuthbert thought he could bear the exclusion.  His betrothed—­as he still regarded the girl—­could meet him in the Park, at the houses of mutual friends, and in a thousand and one places which a clever woman like her could think of.  And although Cuthbert knew that Mrs. Octagon had frequently regretted the refusal of her daughter to marry Arkwright, and would probably try and induce her to do so now that matters stood thus, yet he was not afraid in his own heart.  Juliet was as staunch as steel, and he was certain that Mr. Octagon would be on his side.  Basil probably would agree with his mother, whose lead he slavishly followed.  But Mallow had rather a contempt for Basil, and did not count his opposition as dangerous.

On leaving the “Shrine of the Muses,” the young man’s first intention was to seek out Jennings and see what progress he was making in the matter.  But on reflection he thought he would call again on his uncle and question him regarding his knowledge of Mrs. Octagon.  It seemed to Cuthbert that, from the woman’s question as to whether Lord Caranby had returned from abroad, and her remark on hearing that he had, some suspicion was in her mind as to his being concerned in the crime.  Yet, beyond the fact that the unfinished house stood behind the cottage where the crime had been committed and belonged to Lord Caranby who had known the dead woman in the past, Cuthbert could not see how Mrs. Octagon could constitute a latter-day connection between her dead sister and her old friend.  But Lord Caranby might be induced to talk—­no easy matter—­and from what he said, the mystery of Mr. Octagon’s attitude might be elucidated.  Only in the past—­so far as the perplexed young man could conjecture—­could be found the reason for her sudden change of front.

Cuthbert therefore sent a wire to his uncle, stating that he wished to see him after eight o’clock on special business, and then went home to dress.

While thus employed, he thought over means and ways to make Caranby open his mouth.  The old lord was a silent, grave man, who never uttered an unnecessary word, and it was difficult to induce him to be confidential.  But invariably he had approved of his nephew’s engagement, although he had never seen Juliet, so it might be that he would speak out—­if there was anything to say—­in order to remove any impediment to the match.  It depended upon what information he received as to how Mallow would act.