And that," added Caranby, as though struck with a new idea,
"may be the cause why Selina never answered my letter, and
always refused to see or marry me. She may have been--no, I
am sure she was--under the thumb of Isabella. Now that
Selina is dead, Isabella is under the thumb of Maraquito."
"This is all theory," said Jennings impatiently.
"We can only theorize in our present state of uncertainty,"
was the reply of the nobleman. "But my explanation is a
reasonable one."
"I do not deny that. But why should Maraquito send for Mrs.
Octagon?"
"Why?" echoed Caranby in surprise, "in order to stop the
marriage with Cuthbert. Maraquito loves Cuthbert and hates
Juliet. I daresay this is the solution of Mrs. Octagon's
strange behavior since the death. It is Maraquito who is
stopping the marriage by threatening to denounce Mrs. Octagon
for the murder of her aunt. Juliet knows this, and hence her
reticence."
"It might be so," murmured Jennings, more and more perplexed.
"But Miss Saxon won't be reticent with me. I'll see her
to-morrow."
"What means will you use to make her speak?"
"I'll tell her that Cuthbert may be arrested for the crime.
You know he was about the place on the night of the murder."
"Yes. He went down to look after a possible ghost. But I
hope you will not bring Cuthbert into the matter unless it is
absolutely necessary. I don't want a scandal."
"Rest easy, Lord Caranby. I have the complete control of this
affair, and I'll only use Cuthbert's presence at Rexton to
make Miss Saxon speak out.
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