Macandrew nodded, as he quite agreed with him. "As Mrs. Crosbie is engaged to Rebb, she will not wish him to lose his income, so----"
"Do you think she knows of Rebb's position?"
"Of course. She may not have known it before you confided in her, but she certainly would demand an explanation from the Major, in spite of her promise, when she heard that he was keeping a pretty girl shut up. Mrs. Crosbie is a woman, and as a woman is jealous, Rebb would be forced to tell the truth--that is, how his income depends upon Mavis being imprisoned. When Mrs. Crosbie knew that, she certainly would do all she could to prevent you marrying the girl."
"But Madge has always been my friend," protested Haskins.
"Friendship goes when money is in question," retorted Tod. "I told you that I suspected the widow of being hard up. If I am right, she is marrying Rebb for the money, and both she and he will do all they can to keep that six thousand a year. But," added Tod slowly, "I do not think there will be any murder needed. The insanity rumor is enough to prevent a possible marriage."
"Not with me," raged Gerald, jumping up once more.
"Quite so. Therefore Rebb, on his guard, has gone to Devonshire to work against you."
"I'll follow by the first morning train."
"Take care, Haskins," warned the solicitor. "Rebb is dangerous. A man who would act as he has done will not stick at a trifle. If there is to be murder, you will be the victim."
Gerald held his head very high. "I am not so easily got rid of," he remarked quietly. "However, Mrs. Crosbie and her mother are at Bognor, so they are out of the way. Now I don't like doing underhand things. Tod, as you know, but in this case it seems necessary that these two women should be watched to see if Rebb goes down to see them at Bognor."