Mallow dropped into his seat, flushed and angry.

“I have no enemies,” he muttered, trying to collect his wits.

“Yes, you have, and of the worst kind.  Two women are against you.”

“Two women?  Mrs. Octagon, I know, hates me as Caranby’s nephew and because she wants to handle this money.  But the other?”

“Maraquito Gredos.”

“Bosh!  She loves me.  I am sure she has worried me enough.”

“Of course she loves,” said Jennings satirically.  “She loves you so deeply that she would see you on the scaffold rather than let you marry Miss Saxon.  That is why Mrs. Octagon went the other night to see her.  Mrs. Herne gave a different version, but—­”

“How do you know Mrs. Octagon went to see Maraquito?”

“Your uncle saw her.  Sit down, Mallow.”  Jennings gently pushed back the astonished man into his seat.  “Listen while I tell you all I have discovered lately.”

Mallow listened in silence, and saw very truly that Maraquito would stick at nothing to gain her ends.  However, he made no remark.  “Now,” went on Jennings, “it may be that Maraquito hired someone to kill Miss Loach and is trying to put the blame on you so that she may entangle you in her net.  It will be either the gallows or marriage with you.  Of course she could not kill the woman herself, but her aunt, Mrs. Herne—­”

“She was out of the house an hour before the blow was struck.”

“Quite so,” rejoined Jennings dryly, “but she may have come back again.  However, the main point is, that Maraquito in some way is working with Mrs. Octagon on this basis to prevent your marriage.  In this way they have impressed Miss Saxon that you are guilty, and they have shown her this knife.  This evidence she retained in order to save you and at the price of her marriage.”

“It might be so,” said Mallow, dazed with this view of the case.  “I certainly seem to be in a hole.  If I could see Juliet—­but her mother prevents me.”

“I have a plan to bring you together.  I am engaged to a girl called Miss Garthorne.  She is the niece of an old dancing master who taught Maraquito—­”

“Le Beau?”

“The same.  Well, I learn from Peggy—­that is Miss Garthorne’s name—­that she was at school for a few months with Miss Saxon.  Peggy, in spite of her poverty, has had a good education, thanks to Le Beau, who loves her like a father.  Hence, in spite of the difference in rank, she was brought into contact with Miss Saxon.”

“Yes!  Yes!  I see.  But the scheme?”

“Well, Peggy must write to Miss Saxon and ask her to come and see her at the Pimlico Academy.  As Miss Saxon was great friends with Peggy, she will come.  Then you can talk to her there and learn the truth.  Find out who gave her the knife.  She will answer, especially if you tell her that, owing to my finding the knife, I am inclined to have you arrested.  You understand?”