Cuthbert, walking back to his rooms, wondered if it was on account of the gambling that Mrs. Octagon objected to the marriage.  He really did not gamble much, but occasionally he dropped into Maraquito’s house, and there lost or won a few pounds.  Here he had often met Basil, and without doubt the young man had told his mother.  But he could hardly do this without incriminating himself.  All the same, Basil was a thorough liar, and a confirmed tattler.  He might have blackened Mallow’s character, and yet have told a story to exonerate himself.  His friendship appeared feigned, and Cuthbert doubted if he would really tell Juliet of the appointment.

“That young man’s in trouble,” thought Mallow, “he is anxious about Hale, and I shouldn’t wonder if that respectable person had lent him a large sum of money.  Probably he counts on getting the money from Juliet, should she inherit the fortune of Miss Loach.  Also he seems annoyed that I should have been in Caranby’s unfinished house at night.  I wonder what he would say if he knew my reason for going there.  Humph!  I must keep that quiet.  The only person I dare tell is Juliet; but I can’t speak to her about the matter just yet.  And after all, there is no need to mention my visit.  It does not concern her in the least.  I wonder,” here Cuthbert stopped, struck with an idea.  “By George! can it be that Basil was near Rose Cottage on the night the crime was committed?  Juliet may know that, and so, fearful lest he should be accused of the murder, asked me to stop proceedings.  Can Basil Saxon be guilty?  No,” Mallow shook his head and resumed his walk, “he has not pluck enough to kill a fly.”

After this he dismissed the matter from his thoughts and waited expectant of a letter from Juliet.  None came, and he was convinced that Basil had not delivered the message.  This being the case, Cuthbert determined to act for himself, and one afternoon went down to Rexton.  That same evening he had an appointment with Jennings, who was to bring Susan Grant to Mallow’s rooms.  But the young man quite expected to be back in time to keep the appointment, and meantime he spent an hour wandering round Rexton in the vicinity of Rose Cottage.  But afraid lest Mrs. Octagon should see him and keep Juliet within doors, he abstained from passing in front of the house and waited on the path which led to the station.

While watching the cottage, a young woman came along the path.  She was neatly dressed and looked like a servant.  Cuthbert pressed himself against the quickset hedge to allow her to pass, as there was very little room.  The girl started as she murmured her thanks, and grew crimson on seeing his face.  Cuthbert, not thinking, gave a passing thought to her looks and wondered why she had blushed.  But when he saw her enter the gate of Rose Cottage—­she looked back twice—­he recalled the description of Jennings.

“By George!” he thought, “that was Susan Grant.  I wish I had spoken to her.  I wonder why she blushed.  She can’t be in love with me, as I never saw her before.  All the same, it is strange about the portrait.”