"I want you to offer a reward in order to learn who killed your--our cousin," burst out Bocaros swiftly.
Calvert bit his lip, and the blood rushed to his fair face. "You may be sure that I will leave no stone unturned to learn the truth," he said, and walked in a rather agitated manner up and down the room. At length he came to a halt opposite Jasher. "You are a private inquiry-agent," said he. "Mr. Merry informed me that the professor, under the impression that he had inherited the money, employed you to hunt for the assassin of poor Mrs. Brand."
"Yes--yes," cried Bocaros, shifting his chair in great excitement. "And I bring him to you that you may employ him. I am poor--yes, I am very poor, but I do not want money. Spend what you would give me in paying Jasher to discover the assassin."
"Is this why you bring Mr. Jasher to me?" asked Arnold.
"What else?" said Bocaros. "I only saw Flora twice, but I liked her--she was good to me. I want to know who killed her."
"All the world wants to know that, professor."
"Pardon me," said Jasher, in his unctuous voice. "I do not think the world in general cares very much, Mr. Calvert. The world has grown tired of its nine days' wonder, and now is occupying itself in other matters. I pointed this out to the professor, and proposed that you should remunerate me for what I have done, seeing that he cannot pay me, and let sleeping dogs lie."
"Arnold looked up sharply. What do you mean by that expression?" he asked quickly. "Have you discovered anything?"
"Jasher produced a small note-book. I have set down one or two things. At present I am collecting evidence. When I have sufficient I will know how to move. But"--he closed the book--"if you would like me to destroy these pages----"
"Why the devil should I, man?" demanded Calvert, frowning. "As the cousin and the legatee of Mrs. Brand, I am doubly concerned in learning the truth. I agree to what the professor suggests. You shall search out this matter, and find out who killed the poor woman. I will bear all the expense. And if you bring the guilty person to justice, I will pay you five hundred pounds."