"You found this rich match here," resumed Jen, without noticing the interruption, "in the person of Miss Dallas, already engaged to the late Mr. Alymer." "And also loved by Mr. Sarby," said the doctor, coolly. "We will come to that later on, if you please," said the major, making a gesture to David to be silent. "You loved her and wanted your rival, Mr. Alymer, out of the way. To do so you had my devil-stick stolen." "Ho, ho; and by whom?" "By Mrs. Dallas!" "Mrs. Dallas?" cried David, starting from his seat. "Did she steal the devil-stick?" "It would seem so from this veracious history the major is telling us, said Etwald, with irony. "Mrs. Dallas stole the devil-stick," resumed Jen, imperturbably, "and gave it to Dido, who, by your directions, filled it with fresh poison. Dido gave the newly-prepared weapon of death to you, and with it you killed my poor boy at the very gates of the girl he loved." "Really!" said Etwald, with pointed satire. "Was I as cruel as that!" "Afterward you stole the body of the man you murdered. Dido helped you to do so, and drugged my servant, Jaggard, with the perfume of the devil-stick poison, in order that the theft might be carried out with safety." "It would seem that Dido has a great deal to do with these matters," said Etwald, looking up to the roof. "She has everything to do with them. She will be brought up against you as a witness." "Indeed! Then it appears that I am to be arrested." "I can answer that," broke in Arkel, amazed at the self-possession of the man. "I have here a warrant to arrest you for stealing the body of Maurice Alymer." Etwald glanced over the warrant and smiled. "How can you prove that I did so?" he demanded. "By the evidence of the tramp Battersea." "Battersea!" repeated the doctor, and for the first time he frowned. "Yes. He saw you place the body in your brougham, with the assistance of Dido. He followed you to Deanminster, and saw you take the body into your house." "Really! But all this evidence is circumstantial. Have you searched my house?" "We intend doing so." "I am afraid you will have your trouble for nothing," rejoined Etwald, coolly. "Moreover, you can't arrest me without actual proof." "I can arrest you on suspicion," said Arkel, rising with his warrant, "and I arrest you now in the Queen's name." "On what charge?" "On the charge of stealing the body of Maurice Alymer." "Oh, then," said Etwald, turning toward Jen, "I am not to be accused of the murder." "Later on, my friend Cain," said the major, grimly. "You will have quite enough to do to save your neck from the halter." "I am afraid so, indeed, major, therefore I must have assistance. There is nothing like being provided in time with counsel for the defense; therefore, I must ask Mr. David Sarby to defend me from these absurd charges." "I!" cried David, starting up with pale cheeks. "I defend you!" "Assuredly," replied Etwald, fixing a piercing glance on the young man. "Do you refuse?"