"Because Grent was terribly afraid of the society and had made Miss Hargone afraid also. They thought it better to meet in some out-of-the-way spot, where there would be no chance of their being disturbed. That was why Mortality-lane was chosen. When Miss Hargone was convinced that Grent had the money she was to return home to her lodgings in Bloomsbury, and meet Grent the next morning at Victoria Station. They were to go to Genoa and sail for South America."
"A very nice plot," said Darrel. "But how about Julia going in place of Lydia?"
CHAPTER XXIV
[A QUEER MESSAGE]
Vass paused before answering this question and drank some more water. Now that he had commenced his confession he was much more at his ease, and seemed disposed to tell all he had hitherto kept back. He smiled faintly and repeated Darrel's remark before making any reply.
"How about going in place of Lydia?" he said. "Well that was because Miss Hargone never intended to go to Italy or South America with Grent."
"But he bought double tickets for Genoa," exclaimed Torry.
"I know he did. I looked into the envelope which contained them when it was left in Grent's private office. But Lydia was only fooling the old man."
"In that case why did she make the Mortality-lane appointment?"
"Because she wanted the ten thousand pounds. Yes; her fear of the society was all feigned, and she suggested the meeting-place and disguise to Grent so that in the event of any trouble over the loss of the money, he might be accused by reason of his suspicious conduct."