"With a violent temper, according to your mother," finished Jennings dryly. "However, don't alarm yourself. I don't think she is guilty."
"I should think not," cried Mallow, indignantly. "Juliet's mother!"
"But she may have something to do with the matter all the same. However, you have been plain with me, and I will do all I can to help you. The first thing is for us to follow up the clue of the portrait."
"Ah, yes! I had quite forgotten that," said Mallow, casting a look on the photograph which lay near at hand. "Just pass it, will you."
Miles did so. "You say you recognize it," he said.
"I recognize my own face. I had several portraits done like this. I think this one—" Mallow looked at the inscription which he read for the first time, and his face grew pale.
"What is it?" asked Miles eagerly.
"I don't know," faltered the other uneasily.
"You recognize the inscription?"
"Yes, I certainly wrote that."