"I didn't think of doing so; you explained about the key. I forgot, I suppose, with all the troubles that we had. But you can see now: this man, Waterloo, had the knife, he had the handkerchief, and he was a member of the Black Patch Gang. Alpenny, because he betrayed the Gang, was condemned to death, and Waterloo is the man whom Major Ruck called the executioner. He left you to return to The Camp and kill Mr. Alpenny; then he escaped by the secret passage." Vivian walked about in an excited manner. "By Jupiter! Beatrice, I do believe that you are right. We'll have the little beast arrested." "I dare say, if the police have raided the Stepney den, that he has already been arrested. Oh, how I wish those papers would come!" "What papers?" "The daily newspapers. Durban went to the station to get them, as we expect to read about the raid. And I want to clear your character--so that Durban's life may be saved." "What do you mean?" asked Vivian, utterly puzzled. "He accuses himself of the crime to clear you. He knows that I love you, and, thinking your loss would break my heart, intended to answer for you." "But I have not committed any crime." "No. But the Major and Waterloo can build up an accusation against you; it will be difficult to disprove, and----" "It will not be difficult," said Vivian determinedly; "the handkerchief will prove Waterloo's guilt. Does Durban believe that I am the guilty person?" "I think so, or he would not take the guilt upon himself." "Then I forgive his doubts of me, because he is so ready to take my supposed crime on his own shoulders. But do you believe me to----" "Vivian"--she stretched out her hands--"I never have believed you to be guilty. You know that; and now we both know the truth--Waterloo is the criminal." "And Waterloo will soon be in the hands of the police. Beatrice, I shall go and see the constable at Hurstable. He will send for the Inspector who had charge of the case. We'll tell him everything, and when Major Ruck comes here to-morrow at seven, he can be arrested." "But he is not guilty?" "He is an accomplice. Waterloo apparently killed Alpenny by his order--and, indeed, the Major probably was present at the time, since he admits himself to have been the man you saw leaving The Camp. I shall go at once. Wait here, Beatrice; I'll come back with the constable. And meantime, when Durban returns with the papers, you can see if the Gang's den has been raided." "Yes, yes. Go at once!"