As you gave it to Miss Loach, I should be
glad to know how it came into the possession of this woman."
"I really can't tell you, no more than I can say why Susan
took it. What was her reason?"
"Mr. Mallow is a handsome man--" began Jennings, when she
stopped him with a gesture.
"Do you mean to say--no, I'll never believe it."
"I was not going to say anything against Mallow's character.
But this foolish girl cherished a foolish infatuation for
Mallow. She saw him at Senora Gredos' house--"
"Ah!" said Juliet, turning pale. "I remember now. Basil
mentioned that Cuthbert gambled, but he did not say where."
"Mallow gambled a little at Maraquito's, as did your brother.
The only difference is that Mallow could afford to lose and
your brother could not. Are you sure you never heard the name
of Maraquito?"
"Quite sure," said Juliet, meeting his gaze so calmly that he
saw she was speaking the truth. "Well, I understand how you
got the photograph, but how did this woman get it? I never
heard my aunt mention her, either as Maraquito or as Senora
Gredos."
"Was your aunt open with you?"
"Perfectly open. She had nothing in her life to conceal."
"I am not so sure of that," murmured the detective. "Well, I
cannot say how Maraquito became possessed of this photograph."
Juliet shrugged her shoulders. "In that case we may dismiss
the matter," she said, wiping her dry lips; "and I can't see
what the photograph has to do with this crime.
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