"I dare say. Such a woman would deny anything."
"To gain her ends, she would," replied Mallow judiciously; "but, in this case, she gained nothing by denial. I am inclined to think she told me the truth. Until Carson proved recalcitrant it would have been foolish for her to kill the goose with the golden eggs. Olive, whoever killed Carson, the Anarchists didn't."
"Well, innocent or guilty, then the wickedness has put an end to them. That man Rouge is a hero."
"I agree with you, but the world does not know of his heroism, and never will. The police, the papers, are absolutely at a loss to explain the explosion, and it is my intention that neither Jim nor I should enlighten them. The Morning Planet declares that the Anarchists were experimenting with a new explosive. Such an explanation is quite sufficient for the masses, the classes, and the quidnunc asses."
"Will not Vraik say something?"
"What can he say, save that Rouge was one of the Brotherhood? It was only to Jim and me that he revealed himself and his plans. No, Vraik is safe enough. I shall pay him, and dismiss him."
"You won't go on with the case, then, Laurence?" Mallow shook his head. "There are no clues," he said.
"Surely you forget; there are still two clues," cried Olive, vivaciously. "What about the man who inquired at the P. and O. Office?"
"Oh, no doubt he was an Anarchist sent by Drabble to learn when the Pharaoh would arrive--perhaps Drabble himself, in disguise. I dare say, whoever he was, he was blown up with the rest of the gang. No clue there, Olive."
"Then there is the packet Lord Aldean found in the sandal-wood chest."