"Why," said she, waving a daintily gloved hand, "it seems that Frank Lancaster's been with you. What a cunning fellow you are, Eustace. I guess you gave Uncle Banjo and me the outside running." "I don't know why you want the inside." "No. And nobody else does," she replied, smartly. "Not even Balkis?" hinted Jarman, and could have bitten out his tongue for making a remark so calculated to place her on her guard. As it was, she coloured and looked keenly at him. "I guess you know more about the matter than you'll give away." "Perhaps I do," he replied, determined not to let her know the extent of his knowledge. "But if you came here to see Lancaster, he's gone." "That's a lie," said Miss Berry, coolly. "Search the house then," retorted Eustace, serenely, meeting her with her own weapons. "I give you full permission." She looked at him again. "No," she said, after a close scrutiny. "I guess I believe you." "I am flattered." "Not a bit. You feel angry. Where is Frank?" "I don't know." "Oh, yes, you do," she rejoined persuasively; "and see here, there's five hundred pounds to be earned." "So I believe," said Eustace, coolly, "and your uncle is playing the part of a philanthropist." "You can put it that way if you like, Eustace. Come, tell me where the boy is. I wish him well." "I doubt it, seeing that your relative offers this reward for his capture. However, I can reply with an honest heart that I don't know where he is." Fairy Fan threw away her cigarette with an important air. "I wish you did," said she, "I want to save him from being lynched." "Why do you wish to save him after bringing him into this state." "I didn't," she said fiercely. "Yes, you did. For some reason best known to yourself you induced Starth and Lancaster to quarrel. Having been successful up to the point of putting a rope round Frank's neck, you come to me to ask if I will help you to adjust it." The woman clasped and unclasped her hands nervously, and rose to pace the room. "Believe me, I come to save him," she said earnestly. "He's in great danger, and I alone can help him." "Ah! then you know who killed Starth." "I don't--I don't! I swear I don't!" she cried vehemently. "So far as I know it was Frank. My uncle believes in his guilt also." "I know. It is to his interest to believe," snapped Jarman. "How much money is involved in this business, Miss Berry?" She turned pale, and looked down. "There is no money," she said. "Oh, yes. We'll say about a million. Your uncle doesn't offer this reward for nothing. It's a small sprat to catch a large mackerel." Fan threw herself down and burst into tears. "I wish I were dead!" "Or you wish Frank were dead. Which?" asked Jarman, mercilessly. "No, I don't. Oh! do tell me where he is. I can save him." "From being hanged?" "I--I--think so. Where is he?" She stamped her foot imperiously.