"I have something to say to you," she said, quickly. "Something likely to help you in your investigations." "Concerning the theft of the body?" asked Jen, eagerly. "No, with regard to the murder." "What is it?" "I will inform you in a few minutes," replied Lady Meg. "But first tell me if you have found out anything likely to reveal the truth." "No." Jen shook his head mournfully. "I am completely in the dark, and so is Inspector Arkel. The whole case is a profound mystery." "Well, mysteries, even the most profound, have been cleared up before now, major. Come, tell me precisely how the matter stands, and I may be able to help you." "You know something?" "Yes, I do; and it is to tell that something that I have driven over to-day. Well, now, major, let me know all about the matter from the beginning. I have heard nothing but the most garbled accounts, and it is necessary, for the sake of the information which I am about to impart, that I should know the exact truth." "I shall tell it to you," replied Jen, with some hesitation; "but I am afraid I shall give you pain." "I guess what you mean--Miss Dallas." Jen bent his head gravely. "Maurice wanted to marry her." "I know, I know," replied Lady Meg, while a wave of color passed over her fair face. "You do!" cried Jen, in surprise, "And who told you?" "Mr. Sarby." "Oh!" The major considered a moment, and his thoughts were anything but benevolent toward David. "I can guess why he told you." "What do you mean, major?" "Never mind at present," said Jen, evasively. "I'll tell you that later on. In the meantime, let me state the case. Maurice was killed on the high road by means, as I verily believe, of the devil-stick. You know about that, of course." "Yes, I read the report of the inquest, and I have heard rumors. I agree with you, major, that Mr. Alymer was killed by the poison of the devil-stick. Go on." "On the night that the body was stolen," continued Jen, deliberately, "Jaggard was drugged." "By whom?" "I can't say. If I knew that I'd know who stole the body. But he was drugged by means of a perfume which is the same as that impregnating the devil-stick." "How do you know?" Jen was about to explain when he remembered the necessity of keeping silent concerning the visit of Isabella to the house. "I can't tell you that just now," he said, in a hesitating manner. "But I know it for certain." "Well," said Lady Meg, "it would seem that the devil-stick is the center of this mystery." "I fancy it is." "If you found the devil-stick you would know the truth?" "I don't go so far as that," protested Jen. "If we found the person who stole the devil-stick from my smoking-room I might guess the truth." "In that case, major, look at this," said Lady Meg, and produced an article from her pocket, an article which she held up triumphantly before the astonished eyes of the old man. "The devil-stick!" he cried. "By all that is wonderful, the devil-stick!"