We came here three times a week,
and while supposed to be playing whist, we were at the
factory. Emilia kept guard. Sometimes we went out by the
door of this house and at times by another way--"
"I know. Up the tree-trunk."
"Ah, you have found that out," said Hale in a weak voice;
"what a place it is," he murmured regretfully, "no one will
ever get such another. I can't understand how you came to
find us out."
"Tell me what happened on that night?" asked Jennings,
seeing that the man was growing weaker, and fearful lest he
should die without telling the secret of the death.
"On that night," said the dying scamp, rousing himself; "well,
Maraquito quarrelled with Clancy, and went with me to the
factory."
"Then you were not out of the house?"
"No. We went by the underground passage to work. Clancy went
away, as he had business elsewhere. The moment he had gone I
came up from the passage. Emilia was seated with the cards on
her lap. She came with me to the factory, and thinking Clancy
might come back, she went out by the tree-trunk way."
"What, that old lady?"
"She wasn't so very old, and as active as a cat. Besides, she
did not want Clancy to come down, as she was afraid there
might be a fight between him and Maraquito. They had
quarrelled about the division of some money, and Maraquito can
use a knife on occasions."
"She did on that night."
"No. Miss Loach--I mean Emilia--never came back.
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