He threw her an odd, sidelong glance. It made Jane feel a little cold. “Since you heard so much just now, I don’t doubt you heard Ember tell me just how convenient this place would be for putting some one that wasn’t wanted out of the way?” “Yes, I heard what he said,” said Jane, “but I’m afraid Mr. Ember doesn’t know everything. As far as I remember, he described these passages as a place no one knew anything about.” “He did,” said Molloy, staring. Jane gave a little laugh, and felt pleased with herself because it sounded steady. “Well, to my certain knowledge, three other people know the way in here,” she said. Molloy showed signs of uneasiness. “Meaning you and me and ... since you heard the rest, I’m supposing you heard me name Number One.” “Oh, I didn’t mean you and me at all,” said Jane. “I was thinking of two quite different people, and as to Number One, I could answer that better if I were sure who Number One was. The third person I’m thinking of may be Number One, or may not. I’m not sure.” “I’m thinking,” said Molloy—“I’m thinking you know too much. I’m thinking you know a deal too much.” Jane met his eyes full. Her own were steady, his were not. “Are you going to tell Mr. Ember, and let him ‘eliminate’ me?” Molloy gave a violent start. “Where did you hear that?” he said. “It wasn’t I who heard that, it was Renata. It was one of the things that made her so anxious to change places with me.” “And what made you willing to change with her?” Molloy’s voice was harsh with suspicion. “I hadn’t a job, or any relations to go to. I had exactly one-and-sixpence in the world. I didn’t know where I was going to sleep that night—that’s pretty awful for a girl, you know; and then ... Renata was so frightened.” “She would be,” was Molloy’s comment. “And weren’t you frightened now?” “I suppose I was,” said Jane. “You had need to be.” The something that had made Jane feel cold before was in Molloy’s look and voice. “You had need to be more afraid than you’ve ever been in your life. Renata would have stayed quiet, but nothing would serve you but you must push, and poke, and pry. What were you doing here at all now, will you tell me that? Who showed you how to get down here? You say there are others who know the secret—who are they? Tell me that, will you ... who are they?” Molloy’s sudden passion took Jane by surprise. Her heart began to beat, and she had difficulty in controlling her voice. “Which question am I to answer first?” she said. “Shall I begin at the beginning? I found the passages by accident....” Molloy gave an impatient snort. “Yes, I did really, on my word of honour. I couldn’t sleep and came down to get a book. I was standing in the shadow and I saw some one come out of the panelling. Next night I thought I’d try and find the place. The same person came downstairs and went through the door in the wall. I followed.” “Was it Ember?” “No, it wasn’t Mr. Ember.” “Who was it?”