"Certainly I do. I believe she killed Maurice; but the evidence is as yet too slight upon which to accuse her. If I thought that she--" here the major checked himself and resumed in an altered tone--"but I must think of these things later on. In the meantime I must conclude my examination of this man." "Do you think he knows anything?" "No. I believe he found the devil-stick as he says. Within the grounds of Mrs. Dallas, mind you!" "Well, and what does that prove?" "Prove!" retorted Jen sharply, "simply that it was dropped there by that black fiend after she had killed Maurice." "Do you really think she killed him?" asked Lady Meg, her face growing pale with the intensity of her excitement. "I do," replied Jen, decisively. "But the evidence--ah, the evidence. Well," he added, after a pause, "I have something to go on, in this refilled devil-stick, and the saturated handkerchief." "But I don't understand--" "Never mind, my dear lady, you will later on," retorted Jen, with a nod. Then turning to Battersea, he resumed his examination. "You know the negress. Dido, who is in the employment of Mrs. Dallas?" he asked, mildly. "Yes, sir, an' hawful female she is!" "How so?" "Well, sir." Battersea scratched his shock head. "She knows things as ain't good for 'er. 'Bout that devil-stick es you talks of." "Oh," cried Jen, recalling Dido's denial, "she knows of that, does she?" "Yes, sir, she do. Arsked me 'bout it, but I knowed nuffin, I didn't." "What did she say to you concerning it?" "Well, sir, when I brought a message from Dr. Etwald 'bout that devil-stick--" "What!" cried Jen, interrupting sharply. "Did Dr. Etwald know about it also?" "He did, sir. Leastways he arsked me to arsk Dido 'bout it." "I thought as much," said Jen, in an excited tone. Then after a pause, he added: "Battersea, would you like free quarters and plenty of food and drink for a week?" "I ain't a fool, sir," said the tramp, with a sheepish grin. "I should, you bet." "In that case go down to the kitchen and tell my servants from me that you are to stay there. Later on I'll see you." "Thankee, sir. I'll get free quarters and grub for a week," cried Battersea, rubbing his grimy hands. "My eye, 'ere's oppolance. Can I go now, sir?" "At once," replied Jen, and pointed to the door. Battersea bowed awkwardly to Lady Meg and his benefactor; then he went out of the room and left the major alone with his visitor. "What does all this mean?" asked Meg, quite surprised at Jen's excitement. "Mean!" cried Jen, in a tone of conviction. "Why! that Etwald is mixed up in this business also!" CHAPTER XVI. THE EVIDENCE OF JAGGARD. "Etwald!" repeated Lady Meg, thoughtfully. "Is he not the doctor of whom you have made so great a friend?"