As Miss Saxon was great
friends with Peggy, she will come. Then you can talk to her
there and learn the truth. Find out who gave her the knife.
She will answer, especially if you tell her that, owing to my
finding the knife, I am inclined to have you arrested. You
understand?"
"Yes," said Cuthbert, a new fire in his eyes, and drawing
himself up firmly. "I'll get at the truth somehow, and Juliet
will not leave that Academy until I learn it. I have had more
than enough of this kind of thing. But how did the knife
leave my rooms?"
"Who has called to see you within the last month?"
"Oh, dozens of people."
"Has Mrs. Octagon?"
"No. She never liked me enough to pay me a visit. But Basil--"
"Ha!" cried Jennings, slapping his knee. "I believe Basil may
have taken it. He is working with his mother to stop the
marriage, and--"
"Stop--stop!" interposed Mallow, coloring, "you are accusing
Juliet's mother and brother of being accomplices to a crime.
Basil is a fool and Mrs. Octagon is not a nice woman, but I
don't think either would kill a woman in cold blood."
Jennings had his own opinion about this. Mrs. Octagon--as
was proved by her early history--was capable of doing much,
when number one was in question, and Basil was an
irresponsible, hysterical fool. In a moment of rage he might
have--"But no," said Jennings, breaking off this train of
thought. "I can't see the truth. Miss Saxon knows it. You
must ask her.
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