"I am not tired at all," denied the girl vigorously, "but my nerves are a trifle out of order after what I have undergone. Hush! eat your breakfast, you tiresome boy." "Will you give me a kiss if I drink another cup of coffee?" "No. I'll give you a cigarette. Then you can sleep, and get up at midday. Mr. Shepworth and Mr. Martaban want to see you on business." "Why do you speak of Ned so stiffly, Mona?" "I am engaged to you now," she replied demurely. "That doesn't mean poor Ned is to be left out in the cold." "He won't. I expect that he'll marry Mrs. Rover after her months of mourning are over." "Ah, yes. Ned mentioned that Jadby had murdered Dolly. How did it happen, Mona, my dear?" The girl shuddered, and took away the tray. "I don't think Captain Jadby meant to kill him," she said in a low voice. "Madame Marie denies that he did. But Mr. Rover's heart was weak, and so----" "Give me that cigarette, and tell me all about it from the beginning, dear," said Prelice coaxingly. Mona did as she was asked, as he really now looked much the better for the food and the night's rest. In fact, Prelice was in such good spirits that he apologised for his untidy appearance. "I must look a regular Bill Sikes with this rough chin," he said, passing his hand over his face. "Oh, how delicious this cigarette is. Well?" "I'll tell you all as quickly as I can," said Miss Chent, sitting beside him, and allowing him to hold her hand, on the principle that sick people must be humoured. "You know that Captain Jadby carried me off in a motor car." "Infernal insolence----" "Hush, George; the poor wretch is dead, so I forgive him everything." "All right. I'll try and be a Christian such as you are, although it is not easy. Fire ahead." "I started to walk to Hythe to catch the train to Folkstone in order to see Lady Sophia," explained Mona slowly. "I did not know that she had returned to London. Just as I got into the belt of woods between Hythe and the Downs a motor car met me, coming up. Captain Jadby was driving it." "Didn't know he could drive," growled Prelice restlessly. "Oh yes. Uncle Oliver talked of having a motor, and asked his son to learn driving, so that he might take him about with him. And, in fact, I think that Uncle Oliver presented this motor to Captain Jadby when he learned how to handle the machine." "Didn't your uncle tell you that he did?" "No, and yes. That is, he let slip a word or two. But what does it matter? Captain Jadby had this motor, and a very good one it was--at least Ned says so." "Ned, and not Mr. Shepworth. That's right, darling." And Prelice patted her hand. "Go on, sweetest." "I can't if you keep interrupting," said Mona severely. "Well then, Captain Jadby got out, and said that he was coming up to see me, and while he was speaking to me he lighted a cigarette." "Hang him--confound him."