"Jaggard, did you notice that negress of Mrs. Dallas' about the grounds, since five o'clock?" "Why no, Mr. Maurice, I can't say as I did." "The tramp then; Battersea?" "No, sir. Haven't set eyes on him for a week." "When you lighted the lamp it was eight o'clock?" "About that, sir. I lighted it just after dinner, while you and the major were over your wine, so to speak, sir." "And the room was in darkness--that is, comparative darkness--before then," mused Maurice. "I don't think anyone could have seen the devil-stick unless the lamp was lighted. Was it gone when you lighted up?" "I didn't observe, sir!" "Very good, Jaggard," broke in the major, "you can go. Maurice!" he turned to the young man when Jaggard left the room, "what do you mean by all these questions and examinations? Do you suspect anyone?" "Yes," replied Maurice, deliberately. "I suspect Dido, the negress." "Why?" asked Jen, with military brevity. "It's a long story," returned Maurice, lighting a fresh cigar. "Look here, Uncle Jen, I went to dress at half-past six; you did also. When we left the devil-stick was in the room on the wall. Now we are here again at half-past eight, the devil-stick is gone. In these two hours Dido has had time to cross the lawn yonder and steal it." "But why do you suspect Dido?" "Because the room was in darkness, as you heard Jaggard say. To steal that stick the thief must have known its position on the wall." "Well, Dido didn't know that; she was never in this room." "No, but Dr. Etwald was." "Dr. Etwald! Do you think he has anything to do with it?" queried Jen, perplexed and a trifled startled. "I am certain of it," replied Maurice. "He employed Dido to steal it from you, as you refused to sell it. Listen, uncle, and I'll give you my reasons for this belief," and then Maurice told succinctly all that had taken place at The Wigwam during the afternoon. Major Jen listened quietly, and waited until Maurice ended his story before he spoke. The information about Mrs. Dallas and her reference to himself did not surprise him so much as Alymer expected it would do. In fact he only made one brief remark upon this point. "I am sorry Mrs. Dallas said that," he remarked, when Maurice paused in his narrative. "But what does she mean by it. Uncle Jen? Didn't you wish me to marry Isabella?" "I am neither for nor against," replied Jen, enigmatically. "As I said before, let the girl marry who she loves best." "She loves me best." "In that case I am sorry for David," retorted the major. "So am I," rejoined Maurice, promptly. "All the same, you can hardly expect me to give up to David the girl I love, and who loves me. But why does Mrs. Dallas support David's suit?" "Ask her to explain that, my dear lad." "I did so, and she referred me to you."