"Why, that he"--he nodded towards Eustace--"was in Essex. When Starth took me down to see that pretty sister of his, he said something about Jarman. I remember now." "Why didn't you tell me, Natty," said Fan, in so cooing a voice that Eustace guessed she was thoroughly angry. "I forgot. Can't remember anything," rattled on the youth. "I say"--suddenly turning to Eustace--"awful about poor Starth. Eh?" "Oh, give it a rest," cried Berry, savagely. "You've done nothing but jaw of that since it happened. Jarman, wasn't it you who introduced him to Lancaster? Quite so. H'm! guess Lancaster's an almighty friend of yours. Eh?" "Well, he was," drawled Jarman, seeing that his reply was awaited with much interest, "but now--" Eustace shrugged his shoulders. "I don't much care to consort with criminals." "Right, sir. You don't happen to know where he's skipped to?" "Certainly not. He legged it sharp to escape the police." "He won't escape me," said Berry, grimly. "I'm goin' to get that young man lynched, you bet. I loved Starth just like a son." Jarman laughed. "Yet Starth wasn't a lovable man," he said. "Oh, there was no end of good in him when you got at it," replied the little skipper, solemnly. "Besides, we had a scheme on to make money." "What sort of a scheme?" "Never mind," said Berry. "He's dead now, and the scheme's up a tree." "I suppose Miss Starth's cut up?" said Denham to Eustace. "Naturally. Her only brother." "I guess she needs a heap of consolation," went on the young man artlessly. "It's just in my mind to go down and see her." Jarman was not at all pleased at this proposition, and was inclined to reply in the negative. But a bright thought struck him--a very daring thought of the nature of bluff. Denham was a fool, and not at all observant. It might be that if he came down and saw Mr. Desmond O'Neil he might be able to dispel any suspicions which might afterwards take shape in the minds of Fan and her uncle. With this idea he gave Natty an invitation. "Come and stop with me," he said cordially. "There is no one with me but my secretary, an Irish chap called O'Neil. You'd get on well with him." Natty seemed inclined to accept, but looked at Berry for instruction. The skipper nodded. "Go by all means, and have a good time." "You never ask me," said Fan, reproachfully, to her old lover. "I'm afraid a bachelor establishment is not quite a paradise to ladies," said Eustace, laughing; "but if you will spend the day I'll be very pleased. When will you come down?" he asked Denham. Berry answered. "He can come on Saturday," said he, "as I'm going to-morrow to see an old friend for a couple of days. I'll be back in the morning--Saturday morning, that is. I don't want Fan to be left." "Is it Balkis you're going to see?" asked Denham.