"He may not be guilty of the crime, but he knows something about it, I am sure." Here Jennings related how Clancy had said Basil would speak out if pressed too hard. "Now Basil, for some reason, is in difficulties with Hale, who is a scoundrel. But Basil knows something which Hale and Clancy wish to be kept silent. Hale has been using threats to Basil, and the young man has turned restive. Clancy, who is by no means such a fool as he looks, warned Hale to-night. Therefore I take it, that Basil has some information about the murder. Miss Saxon knows he has, and she is shielding him."
"But Clancy, Hale and Mrs. Herne were all out of the house when the woman was stabbed," said Caranby, "they cannot have anything to do with it."
"Quite so, on the face of it. But that bell—" Jennings broke off. "I don't think those three are so innocent as appears. However, Mrs. Herne is coming back to her Hampstead house next week; I'll see her and put questions."
"Which she will not answer," said Caranby drily. "Besides, you should have put them at the inquest."
"The case had not developed so far. I had not so much information as I have now," argued Jennings.
"Did you examine Mrs. Herne at the inquest?"
"No; she gave her evidence." Jennings hesitated. "She also wore a veil when she spoke, and refused to raise it on account of weak eyes. By the way, do you notice that Maraquito uses a strong scent?"
"Yes. Clancy and Hale also use it."
"Ha!" said Jennings, surprised. "I never knew that. Decidedly, I am growing stupid. Well, Mrs. Herne uses that scent also. It is a rare scent." Then Jennings told what Susan Grant had said. "Now I think there is some significance in this scent which is connected with the association of Clancy, Hale, Maraquito and Mrs. Herne."
"But Mrs. Herne doesn't know Maraquito."