Balkis stared, and looked still more unpleasant. "There is nothing wrong that she could say. If you belong to the police you've wasted your time. I am quite respectable."
"Even to keeping those secret gambling-rooms?"
"What!" She glared at him like a tigress. "Burl told you that, did she, and after my telling her where to find Tilly?"
"After taking away Tilly from her for years," said Jarman, calmly.
"You know a great deal of what does not concern you," said Balkis, placing her hands on her hips, "and if you've come to threaten, I am quite able to defend myself. There's no gambling here, and no secret rooms. If you want a clean mat and a pipe you can have it. I have never been in trouble with the law yet."
Eustace produced the piece of ribbon. "Do you know where I found this?" he asked, dangling it between finger and thumb.
"You bought it, I suppose," she said quietly.
Eustace shook his head. "Observe, it is of the same pattern as your dress--as the ribbon you wear round your neck."
"What's that to do with me?"
"Simply this. It belongs to you, and was lost in a house in Sand Lane, Kensington, where a--"