"I'm inclined to slip a knife into the young devil as he lies there," he said. "Saw me, did he? Let me stir him up a bit----" "Jabez, for God's sake don't. You must run no risks. A word now from anyone casting suspicion upon you and the other affair will all come out." "He knows nothing of the other affair," retorted Jabez, inclined to argument. "How can you be so mad. What does that matter when the police know? So does Farren; he's been watching you, do you know that?" "Farren, Farren?--who the deuce is Farren? Some detective bloke, eh?" "Farren is a spy," replied Miriam bitterly. "He was the man employed by Mr. Barton. He discovered your name, and that I was your sister. He knows everything about you, _everything_, Jabez. That was how Mr. Barton had such power over me. I was forced to obey him for your sake." "Well, that wasn't very hard work I reckon," replied the man with an impatient scowl. "So this Farren chap's been watching me, has he? How did you know that?" "Mrs. Parsley saw him following you after you left me at the flat the other day." "What!" exclaimed Jabez--"a tall dark chap, wearing a cloak and a soft hat--nasty-looking devil?" "Yes; that's the man. You know him?" "Know him? Of course I know him. Why, he's always coming round here for a pipe and a yarn. He's particularly chummy with me too. He told me his name was Garson." "Did he speak to you that afternoon?" "Yes; said it was a rum chance we met. The beggar must have followed me. But why? He knows where to find me when he wants me." "Has he ever threatened you, or tried to get money from you?" "Tried to get money from me? The chap's not born, my dear, who'd try such a fool's game as that. Whatever put that into your head." "Oh, I don't know, Jabez; he's hard up and disreputable, and knowing as he does how you killed--" "Hush! Confound you." He looked round apprehensively. "Don't speak so loud. Look here, Miriam, strikes me you're right. What with Dundas, and the old lady, and this young devil here, I'm in a tight place. I'd better skip while I can. But I tell you straight, if this Farren, or anyone else for that matter, tries coming it nasty with me, I'll do for 'em and then for myself. So you know. I'm not going to be taken alive. Now go on, tell me more about this beggar. Are you sure he knows as much as you fancy he does?" "Quite sure, Jabez. He knows, at all events, that there's a price upon your head for murder." Then rapidly she told him how Farren had come to be in such a position towards Barton, and how he had always done the Squire's dirty work. Jabez listened attentively, and chuckled to himself. "Oh, that was the reason, was it? Now I see it all." "What do you mean?" "Nothing. Listen to me, Miriam. I know how to deal with Farren and Shorty. Let them interfere with me, and they'll be precious sorry they did, I can tell you. Now then, if I'm to get away, I must have some more cash. I've spent some of that you gave me."