On the other hand, Maraquito, to all appearances, knew of something in connection with the case which it behooved him to learn if he wished for peace in the future.  So far as Mallow knew, the matter was at an end.  He believed that Jennings had shelved the affair, and that no further inquiries would be made.  This belief calmed his anxiety, as he greatly desired to save Basil Saxon from arrest.  Certainly, the young scamp protested his innocence, and told a plausible tale, but he was such a liar that Mallow could not be satisfied.  He might be innocent as he said, yet the facts of the visit to the cottage, the possession of the knife and of the overcoat which he wore when seen by Juliet, hinted at his guilt.  Also the forged bill and check might implicate him in the matter.  Did Jennings learn of these things, he would certainly arrest Saxon on suspicion, and, for Juliet’s sake, Cuthbert did not wish such a thing to happen.

It struck Mallow that Hale might have confided in Maraquito, with whom he was in love.  Being unscrupulous, she would probably use this information, and might threaten to denounce Basil, to the subsequent disgrace of Juliet, if Cuthbert refused to marry her.  Taking these things into consideration, Mallow decided that it would be best to pay the visit and learn what Maraquito had to say.

It was a wild, blustering evening, rainy and damp.  When Mallow stepped out of the door he shivered as the keen wind whistled down the street.  Few people were abroad, as they preferred, very sensibly, the comfort of a fireside to the windy, gleaming thoroughfares.  Wishing his visit to be as secret as possible, Mallow walked to Soho and turned into Golden Square shortly before the appointed hour.  He did not expect a pleasant interview, as Maraquito was an uncivilized sort of woman with little control over her very violent emotions.  Altogether, he anticipated a disagreeable quarter of an hour.

He was admitted smilingly by a woman, and noticed with some surprise that Gibber the page was not at his accustomed post.  But he put this down to the fact that there was no gambling on this particular evening.  The windows of the great salon were dark, and Senora Gredos received him in a small apartment which she used as a sitting-room.  Her couch was drawn up close to the fire, and she appeared to be in better health than usual.  Standing at the door, Mallow thought she made a pretty picture.  She had on a white wrapper trimmed with gold lace, and as usual, wore a profusion of jewelry.  Across the lower part of the couch was flung a gorgeous purple coverlet of eastern manufacture, and what with the brilliant colors and the glitter of precious stones, she looked remarkably eastern herself.  Mallow noticed particularly how Jewish she was in appearance, and wondered how he could have been so blind as not to have remarked it before.  The room looked cheerful and warm, and was welcome after the chilly, dreary streets.  Mallow, having taken off his overcoat in the hall, came forward and bowed somewhat formally, but Maraquito was not to be put off with so frigid a greeting.  Holding out both hands, she shook his warmly and pointed to a chair near her couch.  It was now a few minutes after nine.