“This is all supposition,” cried Mallow.  “I can’t see the slightest connection between the coiners and this murder.  Besides, it does not explain why Juliet hints at my being implicated.”

Jennings did not reply.  “There’s the bell, too,” he murmured, his eyes on the ground, “that might be explained.”  He looked up briskly.  “I tell you what, Mallow, this case may turn out to be a bigger thing than either of us suspect.”

“It’s quite big enough for me as it is,” retorted Cuthbert, “although I don’t know what you mean.  All I desire is to get to the root of the matter and marry Juliet.  Find Miss Loach’s assassin, Jennings, and don’t bother about this dead-and-gone coining case.”

“There’s a connection between the two,” said Jennings, obstinately; “it’s impossible to say how the connection comes about, but I feel that a discovery in one case entails a discovery in the other.  If I can prove that Miss Loach was killed by one of the old coiners—­”

“What will happen then?”

“I may stumble on the factory that is in existence now.”

He would have gone on to explain himself more fully, but that Mallow’s man entered with the information that a young person was waiting and asked for Mr. Jennings.  Mallow ordered the servant to admit her, and shortly Susan Grant, nervous and blushing, entered the room.

“I am glad to see you,” said Jennings, placing a chair for her.  “This is Mr. Mallow.  We wish to ask you a few questions.”

“I have seen Mr. Mallow before,” said Susan, gasping and flushing.

“At Rose Cottage?” said Mallow inquiringly.

“No.  When I was with Senora Gredos as parlor-maid.”

“Senora Gredos?” said Jennings, before Cuthbert could speak.  “Do you mean Maraquito?”

“I have heard that her name was Maraquito, sir,” said Susan calmly.  “A lame lady and fond of cards.  She lives in—­”

“I know where she lives,” said Cuthbert, flushing in his turn.  “I went there occasionally to play cards.  I never saw you.”

“But I saw you, sir,” said the girl fervently.  “Often I have watched you when you thought I wasn’t, and—­”

“One moment,” said Jennings, interrupting.  “Let’s us get to the pith of the matter at once.  Where did you get Mr. Mallow’s portrait?”

“I don’t want to say,” murmured the girl.

“But you must say,” said Mallow angrily.  “I order you to confess.”

“I kept silent for your sake, sir,” she said, her eyes filled with tears, “but if you must know, I took the portrait from Senora Gredos’ dressing-room when I left her house.  And I left it on your account, sir,” she finished defiantly.

CHAPTER X

THE PARLOR-MAID’S STORY

On hearing the confession of the girl, both men looked at one another in amazement.  How could Cuthbert’s photograph have come into the possession of Senora Gredos, and why had Susan Grant stolen it?  And again, why did she hint that she had held her tongue about the matter for the sake of Mallow?  Jennings at once proceeded to get at the truth.  While being examined Susan wept, with an occasional glance at the bewildered Cuthbert.