"I can explain," said Jadby, enraged at the young man's coolness. "From Madame Marie I learned that Mr. Haken was going to Mrs. Rover's ball to see his goddaughter and Shepworth, and----" "How did you know that?" asked Prelice, turning to the woman. "Mrs. Rover consulted me occultly about her marriage, and confessed amongst other things that Mr. Haken was her godfather. I saw that Mrs. Rover was in that reckless state which might lead to a scandal, and I told everything to Mr. Haken. He resolved to go to the masked ball and remonstrate with Mrs. Rover, and afterwards with Mr. Shepworth. I told Captain Jadby." "And I went there," said the captain quickly, "because I knew that Haken had killed Sir Oliver, and wished to see him, in order to get some money." "To blackmail him, in fact," said Prelice coolly. "So you were the Continental individual whom my uncle was to meet." "Yes. But he was too clever for me. He came in an ordinary domino, and afterwards changed to a green one with a dress similar to that of Mrs. Rover's." "How can you be sure?" "Because I was hunting for Mr. Haken, and heard him chuckle. For the moment I fancied that he was Mrs. Rover owing to the dress, but when he chuckled I guessed it was Mr. Haken. He eluded me, however, but not before I had smelt the perfume of the tuberose, which the Sacred Herb gives out. When you discovered the crime, Lord Prelice, I guessed that Mr. Haken, disguised as Mrs. Rover, so as to implicate her with Shepworth, should there be trouble, had gone down and murdered Agstone." "How did Agstone come there? How did Mr. Haken know he would be there?" Jadby leaned back coolly. "I cannot answer either of those questions," he said calmly; "perhaps Mr. Haken can." There was a few moments of silence, which Prelice broke. "Well," he asked, rising, "and what are your terms for silence?" "You must give up Miss Chent to me," said the captain, with a glance of gratification, for he fancied that Prelice was yielding. "I shall marry her, and then we shall live at the Grange." "Ah, but you see it will not be your property," said Prelice politely. Jadby sprang to his feet. "Not my property?" "No. I fear that Dr. Horace has not informed you that Agstone brought the will, leaving everything to Miss Chent, to him, and that he has restored it to the lady. You are a pauper, Captain Jadby. Miss Chent has the money, and shortly she will have me as her husband." Jadby took scarcely any notice of Prelice, important as was the matter he talked about. "Horace," he cried, glaring viciously, "you have played me false." "I never intended to play you true," said Horace contemptuously. "Then I shall ruin Haken," cried Jadby, at his wits' end with sheer rage. "Do so," said Prelice, walking to the door. "I decline to be blackmailed. Good-day." And he walked out.