was therefore supposed to be a gentleman of independent
fortune, and both he and Peggy decided to inform Le Beau of
the truth when he had retired from business. Meanwhile, Miles
often talked over his business with Peggy, and usually found
her clear way of looking at things of infinite assistance to
him in the sometimes difficult cases which he dealt with.
Peggy knew all about the murder in Crooked Lane, and how Miles
was dealing with the matter. But even she had not been able
to suggest a clue to the assassin, although she was in full
possession of the facts. "It's about this new case I wish to
speak," said Jennings. "By the way, Peggy, you know that
woman Maraquito I have talked of?"

"Yes. The gambling-house. What of her?"

"Well, she seems to be implicated in the matter."

"In what way?"

Jennings related the episode of the photograph, and the
incident of the same perfume being used by Mrs. Herne and
Maraquito. Peggy nodded.

"I don't see how the photograph connects her with the case,"
she said at length, "but the same perfume certainly is
strange. All the same, the scent maybe fashionable. Hikui!
Hikui! I never heard of it."

"It is a Japanese perfume, and Maraquito got it from some
foreign admirer. It is strange, as you say."