Good-day," and Mrs. Octagon sailed away, after ushering the
detective out of the door.
Jennings departed, wondering at this change of front. As he
passed through the gate a fair, stupid-looking man entered.
He nodded to Jennings, touching his hat, and at the same time
a strong perfume saluted the detective's nostrils. "Thomas
Barnes uses Hikui also," murmured Jennings, walking away.
"Humph! Is he a member of the gang?"
CHAPTER XV
A DANGEROUS ADMISSION
Jennings had once witnessed a drama by Victorien Sardou,
entitled--in the English version--Diplomacy. Therein a
woman was unmasked by means of a scent. It seemed to him that
perfume also played a part in this case. Why should Clancy,
Mrs. Herne, Hale, Maraquito and Thomas use a special odor? "I
wonder if they meet in the dark?" thought the detective, "and
recognize each other by the scent. It seems very improbable,
yet I can't see why they use it otherwise. That women should
use perfumes, even the same perfume, is right enough. They
love that sort of thing, but why should men do so, especially
a man in the position of Thomas? I'll follow up this clue, if
clue it is!"
The conversation with Juliet convinced Jennings that she knew
of something connected with the matter, but was determined to
hold her tongue. The fact that this knife was in her
possession showed that she was aware of some fact likely to
lead to the detection of the assassin.
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