"No. She's a wary old bird. She was all smiles and amiability," said Vane significantly. "There was no word of the murder or of the advertisement, or anything which led me to understand that she had a card up her sleeve. All she knows--according to her own showing--is that you are Squire Evans' heir and are engaged to her daughter." "It's a lie. I'm not. How did she learn where I was?" "Oh, she confessed that as she had no reason--so she said--to conceal it. A page called Bottles told her." Hench slipped off the sofa and swore again. "I guessed as much. I saw Bottles' brother, who is a page at your aunt's. He recognized me, as his brother had written telling him all about me. I had half a mind to tell him to hold his tongue as to my whereabouts but didn't like to." "It would have been too late," said Vane quickly. "The page must have written whenever he heard your name as that of a gentleman staying in the village. At all events, Madame Alpenny knew all about you being here the day before yesterday. Peter--I know the brat at my aunt's--wrote to Simon, surnamed Bottles, and Bottles gave you away to Madame Alpenny." "Hang him! I did think that I could trust Bottles." "You can't trust any one in this wicked world," commented the barrister philosophically. "Madame Alpenny knew that the boy was a hero-worshipper and adored you, so she made inquiries. I daresay a few shillings made him talk." "I don't believe it," said Hench doubtfully. "Peter hinted that everything was right, so I believe Bottles has some card up his sleeve which has to do with all this mystery." "But I don't see----" "No more do I," said Hench, cutting Vane short. "We're in the dark, and until some light is thrown on the subject we will remain in the dark. As to Madame Alpenny, she is at the bottom of the business, I am sure." And then Owain went on to tell his friend about the visit paid by the woman to the Squire. "She has engineered the whole plot, I'm certain." "Queer," admitted Vane, staring absently out into the shadowy garden. "Do you think she murdered the Squire?" "How do I know. She might have done so in order to place me in possession of the money at once. There is certainly a motive. Perhaps,"--Hench's face grew less gloomy,--"perhaps that is why she hasn't moved in the matter so far." "How did you expect her to move?" "Well, she must have guessed that I would keep the appointment, and when she saw that my uncle was murdered she naturally would accuse me. Instead of doing this she has held her tongue." "Only for a time, old son. Believe me, she may turn up here any day. Naturally she wouldn't queer her pitch by telling the police of what she knows. My impression is that she will try and make you marry Zara by threatening to give you away unless you come up to the scratch." "I shan't come up to the scratch, then," muttered Hench sullenly. "In that case Madame Alpenny will have the game in her own hands." "She won't, Jim, if I can prove her guilty."