"If so," said Mildred, shrewdly, "he must at least know who killed my brother, seeing that he left the house _after_ the death." "I don't profess to explain," said Eustace, who was unwilling to lie more than was necessary to shield Lancaster. "Did your brother ask Lancaster to call on him?" "No!" replied Mildred, decisively. "Walter was rather afraid of Mr. Lancaster. They were bad friends for some reason, and Mr. Lancaster threatened to give Walter a thrashing." "Did he threaten to kill him?" Mildred hesitated. "Well, Walter said that Mr. Lancaster would shoot him if he got the chance, as he always carried a revolver." "Lancaster only carried a revolver when he went slumming." "He wasn't slumming when he visited at Sand Lane." "No! I can't explain that. All I can say is that, from what I know of Lancaster, he might have thrashed your brother, but he certainly would not murder him." "But Mr. Darrel tells me that Mr. Lancaster was very bitter against my brother." "When did he tell you that?" said Jarman, who knew Darrel, and, regarding him as a possible rival, did not approve of him overmuch. "To-day, when I got up. Mr. Darrel is staying at the Rectory for a few days. You know, he is a friend of the rector's." "Yes, I know," replied Eustace, thinking he must put Frank on his guard, since Darrel might recognise him. "Why did Darrel come down?" "On a visit to the rector. But he also said that he came to see if he could help me in any way." "I can do all the help that is necessary," said Jarman, jealously. "I told him so, and, then, Captain Berry is anxious to assist." "H'm!" said Eustace, pulling his big moustache. "Mrs. Perth told me that he had offered a reward. Very good of him." "Captain Berry was a great friend of Walter's. He wrote me the sad news almost immediately." "Almost too immediately," replied Jarman. "What time did you get his letter?" "By the eleven post." "Then it must have been posted in London before midnight, and the fact of the murder was not known to the general public till next morning. How came Captain Berry to have such early information?" "I don't know," said Miss Starth, blankly. "Do you think--" "I think nothing," interposed the big man, quickly. "I have never met Berry, and I know nothing about him. But Mrs. Perth doesn't seem to entertain a good opinion of him." Mildred, in spite of her grief and sadness, could not help smiling. "You know that Mrs. Perth never approved of Walter's friends. She was my governess, you remember, and still thinks it's her duty to look after me." "And after that Denham man." "Oh! he is only a boy--" said Mildred, with contempt, "and a very silly boy. Walter brought him down twice, but I don't suppose he'll come here again." "Where did Starth meet him?" "At Captain Berry's. Mr. Denham came from San Francisco with Captain Berry. They are great friends."