"Naturally. Jenner was a comparative stranger in these parts. Go on."
"Well, Job had heard all about, the red pocket-book and the bill. I saw in a twinkling that here was the instrument I required; I promised him twenty pounds if he would get me that red pocket-book."
"Inez! Did you send the man to murder Jenner?"
"No, I did not. I never thought he would goo so far as that. And, as a matter of fact. Job has always denied to me that he struck the blow."
"He certainly would tell you that to save his neck!"
"Well, after I had made this arrangement with him and had told him that Jenner was at the Turnpike House, I returned home. I entered by the side door and slipped up to my room without anyone being the wiser."
"I certainly was not," said her brother. "You are quite a diplomatist, Inez. What about Job's murdering mission?"
"He did not commit the murder," insisted Mrs. Marshall. "He came next day and brought me the pocket-book. I opened it, but could not find the bill; then I accused Job of having taken it. He grinned, but would say nothing. You understand, Sebastian, he had not got the bill; but he wanted to have me in his power."
"I see; but you could have turned the tables on him by having him arrested for the crime."
"No, he knew of the bill--of Frank's disgrace. I thought, if he were arrested, he would tell all, which he certainly would have done; then Frank would have been prosecuted. Remember, I thought Job had the bill! All these years I have believed he had it in his possession; you do not know the blackmail I have paid that man! He was always worrying me for money. At last, seeing he was ill, I put him into the Turnpike House, and--well, I have told you all that. But now you know why I assisted him."