Cass drew a long, long breath. "I don't know what to believe," he said. "All these men form part of the gang of rogues. There is more devilry in this case than we know of, Bob." CHAPTER X A STRANGE DENIAL On arriving at their lodgings, both men were too excited over the case to feel inclined for sleep. Instead of going to bed, they made up the fire, lighted their pipes, and continued the discussion commenced in the hansom. It was then that Ellis repeated the statement of Zirknitz anent his connection with Mrs. Moxton and her sister. "So you see, Harry, the man is Mrs. Moxton's brother, or half-brother--not her lover." "He is really no relation at all," retorted Cass, rather amazed by what he heard. "Mrs. Moxton's mother married the father of Zirknitz, did she? That makes the young man brother by marriage, but so far as parentage and blood go, he could marry Mrs. Moxton to-morrow." "I tell you the man isn't her lover." "Possibly not, after what Zirknitz has told you--that is, if it is true. But he may be the murderer for all that." "Oh, I agree with you there," said the doctor. "The creature is one of those selfish, soulless beings without moral feelings. So long as he could do so, without risking his neck, I quite believe he would go so far as murder. Then he is a spendthrift and a Sybarite; so to get this money it is just possible he killed Moxton. But if he is guilty, Mrs. Moxton does not know of his wickedness." "Then why did she faint when his name was mentioned?" "Because no doubt she is aware of his dangerous nature, and perhaps may think him guilty. What I mean is that, up to the moment I mentioned the name, she did not suspect Zirknitz." "Humph!" said Cass, looking at the fire. "It might be so. What do you intend to do now? The situation is complicated." "I will see Mrs. Moxton and tell her that I have met Zirknitz." "Will you tell her also that he accuses Busham?" "Yes! because from what he said, Mrs. Moxton may know the grounds upon which he bases his accusation." "Then she must be inculpated in the crime," cried Cass, decisively. "I don't see that," said Ellis, much annoyed. "Come what may, I believe that poor little woman is innocent." "Because you are in love!" "It may be so," assented the doctor, gloomily. "Love warps my mind, perhaps, but the whole case is so extraordinary and mysterious that it is difficult to say who is, and who is not, concerned in it." "In my opinion the whole lot are concerned in it," said Cass, "and the desire for money is the cause of the crime. By the way, I asked Schwartz about the Gordon sisters." "He knows both, I suppose?" "Yes; but he praises only one--Janet Gordon. Mrs. Moxton he appears to think very little of."