"I forget. The third one was called Tait, I think, but I don't remember the names of the other two. It doesn't matter, you know," continued the novelist hastily; "lots of authors found their plots on episodes in real life."
"Oh, it's of no consequence," said Jenny idly. "I suppose they thought the plot was too clever for you to invent. At all events the credit is due to you for solving the mystery."
"Ah! But did I solve it properly? Do you think Michael Dene committed the crime?"
"No, I don't!" rejoined Jenny promptly. "I think Jeringham did."
"Jeringham. Who is he?"
"I forgot," said Jenny, with some dismay, "I did not tell you the real names of the people. Jeringham is the man you call Markham in the book. If you remember, I wanted you to make him commit the crime."
"If I had done so no one would have read the book," protested the author. "His flight made it so patent that he was guilty; and I had to put the crime on to someone like Dene, whom no reader would suspect. Do you think that Markham—Jeringham really committed the murder?"
"Yes, I do. If he was innocent why did he fly?"
"Was he ever found again," asked Linton, with some curiosity.
"Never! It is five-and-twenty years ago since the murder was committed, and it is a mystery to this day."