"No, confound you! I wish to see the end of this affair, or I'll get no peace of mind. It is too late to remedy the matter, so I must have my curiosity allayed by learning all the ins and outs of this enigma. Come, let us begin. You have found Rose Strent?"
"Yes. She is a burlesque actress, and plays at the Frivolity Theater. Her name in the programme is set down as Rose Gernon, but this is doubtless her stage name. Rose Strent is her real one."
"I'm not so sure of that," said Merrick sharply. "If she went into that Fen Inn business with her eyes open, she doubtless took a false name, so as to baffle inquiry."
"Then what about the landlord, who called himself Edward Strent?"
"Oh, we must find out all about him also. No doubt his name is false also. Did he look like her father?"
"Well, I can't say that there was much likeness between them. He looked to me like a valet."
"A valet," muttered Merrick reflectively. "Queer! I wonder if he really was a valet--valet to Felix."
"In that case he would be with him now."
"It is not impossible. He has Felix in his power, and can stay on just as he likes. It's my opinion he'll stay till he's pensioned off. Case of blackmail, I fancy."
"I think Rose Gernon is blackmailing Felix also."