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