“I—­I—­did not come here.”

“Then where did you go?”

“I decline to say.”

“Where did your brother go?”

“He did not tell me.  Did the manager inform you of anything else?”

“He merely told me that you and your brother left the theatre as I stated.  You decline to reveal your movements.”

“I do,” said Juliet, clenching her hands and looking pale but defiant.  “My private business can have nothing to do with you.  As you seek to connect me with this case, it is your business to prove what you say.  I refuse to speak.”

“Will your brother refuse?”

“You had better ask him,” said Miss Saxon carelessly, but with an effort to appear light-hearted.  “I don’t inquire into my brother’s doings, Mr. Jennings.”

“Yet you heard about his gambling.”

“I don’t see what that has to do with the matter in hand.  Do you accuse me and Basil of having killed my aunt?”

“I accuse no one, as yet,” said Jennings, chagrined at her reticence, “I said that before.  Did you not speak with your aunt on that night?”

“No,” said Juliet positively.  “I certainly did not.”

Jennings changed his tactics, and became apparently friendly.  “Well, Miss Saxon, I won’t bother you any more.  I am sure you have told me all you know.”  Juliet winced.  “Have you any idea if the weapon with which the crime was committed has been discovered?”

“That is a strange question for a detective to ask.”

“A very necessary one.  Well?”

“I know nothing about it,” she said in an almost inaudible voice.

“Do you know Mrs. Herne?”

“I have met her once or twice here.”

“Did you like her?”

“I can hardly say.  I did not take much notice of her.  She appeared to be agreeable, but she was over-dressed and used a perfume which I disliked.”

“Had you ever met anyone using such a perfume before?”

“No.  It was strong and heavy.  Quite a new scent to me.  The odor gave me a headache!”

“Was Mrs. Herne a great friend of your aunt’s?”

“I believe so.  She came here with Mr. Hale and Mr. Clancy to play.”

“Hale,” said Jennings, “I forgot Hale.  Does he still retain your business, Miss Saxon?”

“No.  I have given over the management of my property to our own lawyer.  Mr. Hale was quite willing.”

“Does your brother Basil still make a friend of Mr. Hale?”

“I don’t know,” said Juliet, changing color again.  “I do not ask about Basil’s doings.  I said that before.  Hark,” she added, anxious to put an end to the conversation, “my mother is coming.”

“I should like to see Mrs. Octagon,” said Jennings.

“She will be here in a few minutes.  I shall tell her,” and Juliet, without a look, left the room, evidently glad to get away.

Jennings frowned and took out the knife at which he looked.  “She knows a good deal about this affair,” he murmured.  “Who is she shielding?  I suspect her brother.  Otherwise she would not have hidden the knife.  I wonder to whom it belongs.  Here are three notches cut in the handle—­there is a stain on the blade—­blood, I suppose.”