"You have no objection, have you, to going with me?" "It is better for you to see Brenton alone. I do not think he would care to be cross-examined before witnesses, you know." "Ah, then, good-bye; I shall find out from Mr. Brenton who John is." "I am sure I wish you luck," replied Speed, as Lecocq took his departure. Lecocq found Brenton and Ferris together. The cynical spirit seemed to have been rather sceptical about the accounts given him of the influence that Speed and Brenton, combined, had had upon the Chicago newspaper man. Yet he was interested in the case, and although he still maintained that no practical good would result, even if a channel of communication could be opened between the two states of existence, he had listened with his customary respect to what Brenton had to say. "Ah," said Brenton, when he saw the Frenchman, "have you any news for me?" "Yes, I have. I have news that I will exchange, but meanwhile I want some news from you." "I have none to give you," answered Brenton. "If you have not, will you undertake to answer any questions I shall ask you, and not take offence if the questions seem to be personal ones?" "Certainly," said Brenton; "I shall be glad to answer anything as long as it has a bearing on the case." "Very well, then, it has a very distinct bearing on the case. Do you remember the girl Jane Morton?" "I remember her, of course, as one of the servants in our employ. I know very little about her, though." "That is just what I wish to find out. Do you know _anything_ about her?" "No; she had been in our employ but a fortnight, I think, or perhaps it was a month. My wife attended to these details, of course. I knew the girl was there, that is all." The Frenchman looked very dubious as Brenton said this, while the latter rather bridled up. "You evidently do not believe me?" he cried. Once more the detective gave his customary gesture, and said-- "Ah, pardon me, you are entirely mistaken. I have this to acquaint you with. Jane Morton is the one who murdered you. She did it, she says, partly for the sake of John, whoever he is, and partly out of revenge. Now, of course, you are the only man who can give me information as to the motive. That girl certainly had a motive, and I should like to find out what the motive was." Brenton meditated for a few moments, and then suddenly brightened up.