Unexpected aid came to help him in this quarter, as Caranby sent a note, stating that the rubbish and debris of the fire would be removed next week, and inviting Jennings to be present. Caranby added that Mallow had resumed his visits to the "Shrine of the Muses," but that Mrs. Octagon still continued hostile. Basil, however, was more friendly. "I daresay," commented Jennings, on reading this last sentence, "he has his own axe to grind over that money."
It was about this time that the detective received a visit from Susan Grant. She looked as neat and timid as usual, and appeared at his rooms one morning with a request for an interview. "I said I would help Mr. Mallow if I could," she said when seated.
"Oh, and have you anything likely to help him,-"
"Not exactly," said Susan, "but I found some old papers of father's."
"I don't quite understand," said the detective, who did not see what the girl's father had to do in the matter.
"Well, it's this way, sir. Father was poisoned five years ago."
"Who poisoned him?"
"That we never knew," explained Susan. "Father's name was Maxwell, but when mother married Mr. Grant she made me take that name. It was supposed that father committed suicide, and mother felt the disgrace dreadful. That was why she married and changed the name. But I don't believe father, when on the point of making us rich, would swallow so much arsenic as he did."
"What's that—arsenic?" said Jennings, recalling the death of Tyke.
"Yes, sir. It was this way. Father was working at Rexton—"