"Better let that subject alone, young man. I suppose you don't realize that I overheard all that passed between Gunga Dall and Lady Brenton just now." "Well, and you know that he lied," put in Sir Edgar, eagerly. "My mother wasn't there that night--you must know that." "On the contrary, my friend, I know that she was," responded Cleek, serenely. Sir Edgar made an effort to raise his shackled hands. His face was passionate. "It's a lie, an infernal lie, I tell you!" he cried, vehemently. "It was I who killed the old woman, if you want to know the truth. Not Lady Brenton!" "I do want to know the truth," replied Cleek, severely. "But that is not it, so don't tell any more lies than you are obliged to. If I say Lady Brenton was here that night, it does not mean that she killed Miss Cheyne, nor that you did, either, despite the fact that you had a revolver in your pocket." A sudden, startled look passed over Sir Edgar's face. His mouth was a little drawn. "Then what is the meaning of this outrage? What right have you to arrest me?" he said with a very creditable attempt at bluster which deceived Cleek not at all. "The right of the law, young man. You asked me who I was just now. Well, I'll tell you as much as the world knows--I am Cleek, Cleek of Scotland Yard." "Cleek!" Filled with astonishment and not a little awe, Sir Edgar found himself looking into a hard, cynical face with narrowed eyes and a thin-lipped, cruel mouth. Cleek smiled. "Perhaps you know this man better," he said, quietly, and in a flash his features blent, softened, altered, made of themselves yet another mask, and Sir Edgar found himself gazing into the face of Lieutenant Deland. "Good heavens! The lieutenant!" he said, with a throb of fear in his voice. "Then you were that man--and Mr. Narkom knew all the time." "Yes, Sir Edgar, and perhaps, too, you can tell me of this one, eh?" In a flash, that face had given place to the bovine stupidity of Mr. George Headland, as the young man had seen him at Scotland Yard. "Mr. George Headland!" The name scarcely sounded above a whisper and Cleek smiled a little as his face now resumed its normal expression. "All three, my friend," he said, genially. "So you see it is useless to attempt to deceive me. I have given you these proofs, to drive that lesson home. Put yourself unreservedly in my hands, and you will be safe, otherwise--well, remember that the inquest is only postponed, not settled." Something of menace in the low tones caused the face of Sir Edgar Brenton to grow more pale and for a brief moment there was silence. Then Cleek spoke swiftly. "Give me your word to work with me, on the side of the law, and I will see that the one you seek to shield shall not be harmed so much as by a hair of her head," he said. "Do you believe me?" "Yes, I do, Mr.----" "Mr. George Headland, please."