"Well, if he has, we'll have to do without it, that's all," replied the girl. "By the way, dear, why didn't you go to town last night as we arranged?"
"I changed my mind. It struck me that Jenny might manage to succeed with Malet where I had failed. I didn't go up to the house, because I didn't want to meet him; so I sent her a note asking her to come to the Rectory. You know Mr. Slocum is one of my oldest friends."
"How strange," said Brenda, wonderingly. "I had exactly the same idea; that was why I went to the Manor last night. When I got there they told me Lady Jenny had gone to the Rectory."
"I didn't see her," said Harold, grimly. "I waited till nine, and as she hadn't turned up then I went back to the inn. There, later on, I heard of the murder, and went to look at the body. Although we had quarrelled I felt sorry for the poor devil when I heard of his violent death."
"Poor Mr. Malet," sighed Brenda; "I wonder who killed him, and why?"
"Well, I can't say why, dear, but I have an idea who it was that shot him."
"Who? Who?"
"That man I mistook for your father."
Brenda turned pale, remembering her father's agitation.
"Impossible! Why do you think so?"