Mallow threw himself back in his chair biting his moustache.  Every word Jennings spoke made him more confident that Basil had something to do with the crime.  But why Juliet should hint at his own guilt Cuthbert could not imagine.  Had he been calmer he might have hesitated to tell Jennings about Basil.  But, exasperated by Juliet’s half confidence, and anxious to learn the truth, he gave the detective a full account of his meeting with the young man.  “What do you make of that?” he asked.

“Well,” said Jennings doubtfully, “there’s nothing much to go upon in what he said.  He’s in difficulties with Hale certainly—­”

“And he seemed anxious about my having been in Caranby’s grounds at night.”  “Were you there?”

“Yes.  I did not intend to say anything about it, but I must tell you everything so that you can put things straight between me and Juliet.  I can’t understand her.  But I am sure her mother and Basil are trying to influence her against me.  I should not be surprised to learn that they accused me of this murder.”

“But on what grounds?” asked Jennings quickly.

“We’ll come to that presently.  But I now see why neither Basil nor his mother want the marriage to take place.  By the will of Miss Loach Juliet comes in for six thousand a year, which is completely at her own disposal.  Mrs. Octagon and her pet boy want to have the handling of that.  They know if Juliet becomes my wife I won’t let them prey on her, so immediately Miss Loach died the mother withdrew her consent to the marriage, and now she is being backed up by Basil.”

“But I thought Mrs. Octagon was well off?”

“No.  Saxon, her late husband, left her very little, and Octagon, for all his meekness, knows how to keep his money.  Both mother and son are extravagant, so they hope to make poor Juliet their banker.  In some way they have implicated me in the crime, and Juliet thinks that I am in danger of the gallows.  That is why she wrote that mysterious note, Jennings.  To-day she asked me to stop proceedings for my own sake, which shows that she thinks me guilty.  I could not get a further explanation from her, as she ran away.  Hang it!” Cuthbert jumped up angrily, “if she’d only tell me the truth and speak straight out.  I can’t understand this silence on her part.”

“I can,” said Jennings promptly, “in some way Basil is mixed up in the matter, and his accusing you means his acknowledging that he was near Rose Cottage on the night of the crime.  He funks making so damaging an admission.”

“Ah, I daresay,” said Cuthbert, “particularly as he quarrelled with his aunt a week before the death.”

“Did he quarrel with her?”

“Of course.  Didn’t I tell you what he said to-day.  He’s in a fine rage with the dead woman.  And you know what an uncontrollable temper he has.  I’ve seen him rage at Maraquito’s when he lost at baccarat.  Silly ass!  He can’t play decently and lose his money like a gentleman.  How Juliet ever came to have such a bounder for a brother I can’t imagine.  She’s the soul of honor, and Basil—­bah!”