“She’s finished now,” said Moon, wiping his red face; “all the fight’s gone out of her. Whew! I’ve seen women in the cells like her before. She’s a crazy bit of goods.” “She’s mad, quite mad,” quavered Sorley, wringing his hands in a senile manner, “I always said that she was.” “Then you sent her mad,” muttered Alan, who did not think Marie’s uncle was wholly the injured person he presented himself to be. All the time Jotty surreptitiously devoured all the biscuits within reach, and enjoyed what was to him quite a performance—and a well-known one at that, as often he had seen Mother Slaig and others of her kind raging in just such an animal manner. “She’s a oner, ain’t she?” he said grinning, “but not a bad ole gal, oh no, not at all.” Miss Grison, who was lying back apparently exhausted, unclosed one eye and then two, shooting such a malevolent glance at the boy that he held his tongue and looked away uneasily. Moon was about to take up again the stiletto which he had cast carelessly on the table in order to ask questions, when Latimer, hot with rapid walking, made his appearance through the window followed by Morad-Bakche, who looked uncomfortable. The inspector nodded to both, but did not speak for the moment, as his attention was taken up with Alan’s attempt to pacify granny and the two servants who had been attracted to the library by Miss Grison’s screams. The three wished to stay, and argued the point, but Fuller managed to finally turn them out and then came back to witness what would doubtless prove to be the final act of the drama. Meanwhile neither Bakche nor Latimer said a word, and Miss Grison still lay back in her chair broken up much in the same way as was her husband. They were both wrecks, the sole feelings predominating being terror in the man’s heart and hatred in the woman’s. “Well, sir,” said Inspector Moon, turning sharply on the dignified Indian, “and what do you know about this matter?” “I have some idea of the truth,” answered Bakche quietly, and now more at ease, “and I am willing to state what I know on the condition which I arranged with Mr. Fuller yesterday. Indeed, Mr. Fuller, so to speak, suggested the condition some time ago, and I came down here to see Miss Inderwick as to whether she would be willing to fulfil it.” “If you know the truth, you must tell the truth without any condition. That is the law of this country. If you impede the course of justice by keeping back necessary information you are liable to a penalty.” “I am willing to take the risk,” responded the Indian dryly, “since I have so much at stake. I appeal to Mr. Fuller as to whether he is willing to agree to my condition?” “On behalf of Miss Inderwick I am,” said Alan quietly, “since she leaves me free to use her jewels in any way likely to free her uncle from this charge of murder brought against him by Miss Grison.” “Mrs. Sorley, if you please,” murmured the woman without unclosing her eyes.