“She says she is,” said the cautious Jennings.

Mrs. Octagon shot a glance of suspicion at him, but at once resumed her engaging manner.  “The foolish boy loves her,” she went on, clasping her hands and becoming poetical, “his heart is captured by her starry eyes and he would wed her for her loveliness.  But I can’t have that sort of thing,” she added, becoming prosaic, “so I went and told her I would denounce her gambling salon to the police if she did not surrender my son.  She has done so, and I am happy.  Ah, Mr. Jennings, had you a mother’s heart,” she laid her hand on her own, “you would know to what lengths it will lead a woman!”

“I am glad your son is safe,” said Jennings, with apparent cordiality, though he wondered how much of this was true.  “Maraquito is not a good wife for him.  Besides, she is a cripple.”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Octagon tragically, “she is a cripple.”

Something in the tone of her voice made Jennings look up and created a new suspicion in his heart.  However, he said no more, having learned as much as was possible from this tricky woman.  “I must go now,” he said, “I have examined the house.”

Mrs. Octagon led the way upstairs.  “And have you any clue?”

“None!  None!  I wish you could assist me.”

“I?” she exclaimed indignantly, “no, my sister and I were not friends, and I will have nothing to do with the matter.  Good-day,” and Mrs. Octagon sailed away, after ushering the detective out of the door.

Jennings departed, wondering at this change of front.  As he passed through the gate a fair, stupid-looking man entered.  He nodded to Jennings, touching his hat, and at the same time a strong perfume saluted the detective’s nostrils.  “Thomas Barnes uses Hikui also,” murmured Jennings, walking away.  “Humph!  Is he a member of the gang?”

CHAPTER XV

A DANGEROUS ADMISSION

Jennings had once witnessed a drama by Victorien Sardou, entitled—­in the English version—­Diplomacy.  Therein a woman was unmasked by means of a scent.  It seemed to him that perfume also played a part in this case.  Why should Clancy, Mrs. Herne, Hale, Maraquito and Thomas use a special odor?  “I wonder if they meet in the dark?” thought the detective, “and recognize each other by the scent.  It seems very improbable, yet I can’t see why they use it otherwise.  That women should use perfumes, even the same perfume, is right enough.  They love that sort of thing, but why should men do so, especially a man in the position of Thomas?  I’ll follow up this clue, if clue it is!”

The conversation with Juliet convinced Jennings that she knew of something connected with the matter, but was determined to hold her tongue.  The fact that this knife was in her possession showed that she was aware of some fact likely to lead to the detection of the assassin.  She might have found it when she came after the death to Rose Cottage, but in that case, had she nothing to conceal, she would have shown it to the police.  Instead of this, she hid it in the attic.  Jennings congratulated himself on his dexterity in securing this piece of evidence.  There was no doubt in his mind that this was the very knife with which Miss Loach had been stabbed.