The Secret Passage

tall, slim and fair-haired. But Mallow wore a mustache, whereas the detective, possibly for the sake of disguising himself on occasions, was clean-shaven. But alth

ng men about town discussing sport rather than an officer of the law and a ma

for a jest?" said

ected with my profession, Mal

en involves the issue

it does not," said Je

shrug. "I assure you, you have found a mare's nest this ti

er, also taking a seat, "but you may have be

of jail, did one know what is done under the rose," return

w days ago to see you about this matter, and inq

other who was ill,"

ther living in Exeter when we met last. Well, I had

mean," said M

ur spy-I mean my spy, reported that you were

if you wish

uiet chat with you. Believe me, I wish you w

tand this talk from any man. Are you

ting valuable time? If you wish to go out this evening, the soo

hey are first," sai

ll leave the matter alone," he said coldly. "My position is quite unple

te him in a crime.

well, then, Mallow. I shall go away and hand over the matter

inclined to obey. He stood stiffly by his chair as Mallow paced the room reflect

e been driving at for

sit down and smoke. I have no particular en

ou will help me to unravel this case," said

n't see w

rtly. Will you

uires ref

will hand the case over to the next man on the Sco

one no wrong, I am not afraid. And, what is more, Jennings, I was coming t

u wish to se

cigarettes and touching the bell. "The deuce!" sa

ave an order for coffee. "Any liq

stituting another word since the servant was in the room. "Well

coining case that took pla

efore my time.

lled Saul were

I and several other fellows are looking for a set of coiners now. There are a lot of false coins circulating, and

utation will

ing. "I want a rise in my salary, as I wis

You met her,

call it? the-'Shrine of the Muses'-where all the s

low did not reply at once, as his servant had just brought in the coffee. But when each gentleman was supplied with a cu

of cour

sted in finding out who kil

demanded Jenn

of it, I should like you to promise that

Of course, if I find the assassin, even if he o

hat sort," said Mallow easily, "b

ho killed Miss Loac

"I read the case coming up in the train to-day, and it seems to

not care for an ordinary murder case, but this is one after my ow

r way as yet?"

at he says about the bell is absurd. All the same, the bell did ring and the assassin could not have escaped at the time i

e the assassin

I have more facts before me before I venture an opinion. It is only in detective novels that the

p what I say

h, "so long as it doesn't mean the

placed in you by the authorities to that e

might be learned, and, moreover, the discovery might remove her objection. On the other hand, Cuthbert could not help feeling uneasy, lest Mrs. Octagon had some secret connected with the death which made her refuse her consent to the match, and which, if he explained to Jennings what he knew, might become known in a quarter which she might not approve of. However, Mallow was certa

aged to Juliet Saxon,"

at absurd Mrs. Octagon, with the meek h

t is the niece

a look of surprise; "do you mean to tell m

sister, but she did not forbid her children being friendly. As you may guess, Mrs. Octagon is much distressed about t

at his friend. "That is stra

l, I thought I would ask him what he thought. He told

d Miles, seeing Cu

nother lady

s," said Jenning

's name was Sau

or a few moments. "Saul was the name you mentioned in

heard from Caranby, and detailed what his mother had said. Also, he touched on the speech of Mrs. Octagon, a

me all you kn

that I think what I have learned

. "Mrs. Octagon bases her refusal to allow the marriage on the fact of th

she has anything to do with the matter.

her," finished Jennings dryly. "However, don'

cried Mallow, indignan

ver, you have been plain with me, and I will do all I can to help yo

Mallow, casting a look on the photograph whi

ou say you recog

e this. I think this one-" Mallow looked at the inscriptio

?" asked Mi

" faltered the

nize the i

rtainly wr

Miles, his eyes on the disturbed face of

"Yes! That is the inscription," he said in

that to a

serv

ed by Miss Loach on the da

name. I saw it

he girl well?"

know he

with such an inscription to any unknown

y, "how can you think-" his voice d

ink then?" deman

you

ove this Su

set eyes on her," sa

persuasive hand on his shoulder. "You must speak out," he said quickly, "you have told me so much you must tell me all. Matters

er sai

the inscription shows that it was given to a woman you are in love with. You told me when you introduced me to Miss S

can't

on't trust me,"

friend's arm. "I wish to Heaven I had

uite well why you won't acknowledge that you gave this photograp

thbert, his face gro

You gave the photograph to Miss Saxon. She gave it to Miss Loach, and Susan Grant

o Juliet, and no doubt she gave it to her aunt. It would be easy for this girl to tak

now her?" as

best of his ability, but Cuthbert shook his head. "No, I never saw her. You say she had this photograph in her trunk?" Then

ryly. "But strange as it may appear,

you kn

ter the murder I searched the boxes of t

o danger of them

he fact that the whole four were in the kitchen together at the time the crime was committed quite clears them. However, they insisted, so I looked into their boxes. I found t

lous. I don't know the girl

and possibly some explanation may be mad

should my photograph i

d the girl how it came into her possession, as I know your tastes don't lie in the way of pretty parlor-maids,

ded Cuthbert, exasperated by the

ng in case you should get into trouble

he name Susan Grant, and from your description of her appearance, I never set eyes on her. I am quite sure your

mark about

his elbow on the mantelpiece. "I can't guess wha

I shall ask Miss Saxon why she gave the photograph to Miss

he liked me much mo

ng your photograph. I must ask Miss Saxon when she gave i

t it's all ver

th a crime are, my dear fellow," said he calmly. "I

do you

ay what I

ysterious,

of your photograph, though if the explanation I suggest is the true one, there's

er the photograph," s

. "But I will not theorize any more. Wait till I confront the

As you please. But I really am at

"That is why I am anxious to see her and you together.

I am concerned. By the way,

ld lady will leave you some money, Mallow. She was reported to be ri

allow, bluntly

nly in the past will we find the truth. And

s with the late letters. Cuthbert found one from J

olice about aunt

w slept very b