It
was a brand-new knife of the sort called bowie. Jennings
started on seeing this object, but having no time to think
(for he did not wish to rouse her suspicions), he slipped the
knife in his vest and ran again to the door. After a lot of
ostentatious fumbling he managed to turn the key again and
open the door. Juliet was flushed and looked at him angrily.
But she cast no second look at the cornice, which showed
Jennings that she did not suspect his ruse.
"Your dress caught the door and shut it," he explained, "the
lock seems to be out of order."
"I never knew it was," said Juliet, examining it; "it always
locked easy enough before."
"Hum," thought Jennings, "so you have been here before and you
have kept the door locked on account of the knife probably,"
but he looked smilingly at the girl all the time.
"I am sorry," he said, when she desisted from her examination.
"It's my fault," said Juliet unsuspiciously, and closed the
door. She led the way along the passage and down the stairs.
"Who are you?" she asked, turning round half way down.
"I am a friend of Mallow's," said the detective.
"I have never met you?"
"Yet I have been to your house, Miss Saxon. Perhaps my name,
Miles Jennings, may--"
The girl started with a cry. "You are a detective!" she
gasped.
CHAPTER XIV
MRS. OCTAGON EXPLAINS
The young girl leaned against the wall, white, and with closed
eyes. Alarmed by her appearance, Jennings would have assisted
her, but she waved him off and staggered down the stairs.
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