Mrs. Octagon would never go and see her
sister, but she did not forbid her children being friendly.
As you may guess, Mrs. Octagon is much distressed about the
murder, but the strange thing is that she declares this death
renders it impossible for me to marry her daughter."
Jennings looked searchingly at his friend. "That is strange.
Does she give no reason?"
"No. But knowing my uncle knew her when she was a girl, I
thought I would ask him what he thought. He told me that he
had once been engaged to Miss Loach, and--"
"Well, go on," said Miles, seeing Cuthbert hesitating.
"There was another lady in the case."
"There usually is," said Jennings dryly. "Well?"
"The other lady's name was Saul--Emilia Saul."
"Oh," Miles sat down again. He had remained standing for a
few moments. "Saul was the name you mentioned in connection
with the coining case of twenty years ago."
Cuthbert nodded, and now, being fully convinced that he badly
needed Jennings' aid, he told all that he had heard from
Caranby, and detailed what his mother had said. Also, he
touched on the speech of Mrs. Octagon, and repeated the
warning he had given her. Miles listened quietly, but made no
remark till his friend finished.
"You have told me all you know?" he asked.
"Yes. I want you to help me. Not that I think what I have
learned has anything to do with the case."
"I'm not so sure of that," said Jennings musingly, his eyes on
the carpet.
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