"Humph!" said Jennings, his eyes on the carpet, "that supplies a motive for Basil killing the old woman."
"Nonsense, Basil would not kill anything. He is a coward."
"When a rat is in the corner it fights," said the detective significantly. "Basil may have been between the devil, represented by Miss Loach, and the deep sea, which we may call Hale. He may have—"
"No! No! No!" said Mallow, "nothing will ever persuade me that Basil is guilty."
Jennings looked doubtful. He had his own opinion as to young Saxon's capability for crime. "However, the whole case is so perplexing that I fear to name any particular person," said he, taking his hat. "Now I shall see Miss Garthorne and get her to write to Miss Saxon."
Apparently there was no difficulty about this, for in three days he wrote to Mallow, telling him to come to Pimlico on Friday at four o'clock. Juliet was surprised when she received an invitation from an old schoolfellow of whom she had lost sight for years. However, owing to her troubles, she felt the need of some sympathetic soul in whom she could safely confide, and knowing Peggy was one of those rare friends who could keep her own counsel, Juliet readily agreed to pay the visit. She arrived at the Academy shortly before three o'clock, and the two girls had a long talk of their old days. Also Juliet told some of her difficulties—but not all—to Peggy. "And I don't know how things will turn out," said Miss Saxon disconsolately, "everything seems to be wrong."
"They will continue to be wrong unless you act wisely," said Peggy.
"In what way should I act?"
"Stick to Mr. Mallow. He loves you and you love him. I do not see why you should surrender your life's happiness for the sake of your family. Of course you have not told me all," and Peggy looked at her inquiringly.
Juliet shuddered. "I dare not tell you all," she said faintly. "I have to think of other people."