"He did tell me--"
"That he was innocent of course?"
"Yes. That he was innocent. But if he had told me that he was guilty I could not have betrayed him."
"Humph!" said Dr. Jim with a sharp glance, "you are getting more mysterious every moment. Well, so you put in that cipher--the first--by the direction of the Mexican?
"Yes. And met Frisco at Hyde Park Corner. I also put in the second when I wanted to see Frisco again. He wouldn't give me his address, but said if I wanted to see him I was to communicate by the cipher. I did not meet him the second time, because I saw you waiting to catch us."
"Ah! That was clever of you."
"Of you too," said Joyce, "how did you learn the cipher?"
"That is my business. Be civil," said Dr. Jim sharply, "go on. You saw this man you say, and he told you he was innocent, which is a lie. I suppose Santiago saw him also?"
"Yes. We were all three in my flat."
"Nice party," said Dr. Jim sarcastically, "and you made up this conspiracy between the lot of you?"