"
He was doubtful of the wisdom of doing this. If he told what
he knew, and set Jennings on the track, it might be that a
scandal would arise implicating Mrs. Octagon. Not that
Cuthbert cared much for her, but she was Juliet's mother, and
he wanted to avert any trouble likely to cause the girl pain.
A dozen times on the journey Cuthbert altered his mind. First
he thought he would tell Jennings, then he decided to hold his
peace. This indecision was not like him, but the case was so
perplexing, and such serious issues were involved, that the
young man felt thoroughly worried.
Hitherto he had seen nothing new about the case in the papers,
but on reaching Swindon he bought a few and looked through
them. His search was rewarded by finding an article on the
crime. The inquest had been held, and the jury had brought in
a verdict of "Murder against some person or persons unknown!"
But it was plainly stated that the police could not find a
clue to the assassin. The article in question did not pretend
to solve the mystery, but collocated the facts so as to put
the case in a nutshell.
"The facts are these," said the journal, after a preliminary
introduction. "A quiet maiden lady living at Rose Cottage,
Rexton, received three friends to a card-party. Difference
arising--and such things will arise amongst the best when
cards are in question--two of the friends, Mrs. Herne, an
old lady and life-long friend of the deceased, and Mr.
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