Then we heard a suppressed shriek.
We guessed it was a woman, at least I did, but Maraquito was
quicker and knew more. She said it was Miss Saxon, and at
once became anxious to fix the blame on her. But I was afraid
lest things should be discovered, so I dragged Maraquito back
to the factory. I believe Miss Saxon found the knife and then
ran out, being afraid lest she should be discovered and
accused. This was what Maraquito wanted. She suddenly
escaped from me and ran back to the secret entrance. By
shifting the floor a little she saw into the room. It was
then eleven. She saw also that the knife was gone, and it
struck her that Miss Saxon could not be far off."
"She was not," said Jennings, "she was hidden in the field of
corn."
"Ah. I thought so. Well, Maraquito fancied that if she was
arrested with the knife before she could leave the
neighborhood she would be charged with the murder."
"But would Maraquito have let her suffer?" asked Jennings,
horrified.
"Of course she would," said Hale weakly, "she hated Miss Saxon
because she was engaged to Mallow, the fool. To get her
caught, Maraquito jumped up into the sitting-room and rang the
bell."
"At eleven o'clock?"
"Yes, I believe--I believe--" Hale's voice was getting
weaker and weaker. "She did ring--bell--then closed
floor. Servant came--I--I--" he stopped and his head
fell back. Suddenly he half rose and looked wildly into blank
space.
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