"Sammy Lee will see to that, darling. You must be brave. And remember that I meet you at the end of your journey. Promise to be brave." "Yes, yes; I promise," said Mavis, flushing, "but it is all very terrible to think that this is the world." "This is Rebb's world," said Haskins tenderly, "but not the world of joy and peace and love in which you will dwell when we are married." "Married? Oh, Gerald!" "Yes." He kissed her now flushed cheek. "But tell me, Mavis, who killed that poor Bellaria?" Mavis shivered again, although the cabin was warm. "I do not know," she said faintly. "Bellaria came back from London very terrified." "I can guess why," murmured Gerald, thinking of the coral hand. "She said that she might be killed, and made Geary give her that yellow-handled knife so that she might protect herself." "Ah! So Rebb's story so far is true. Go on, dear." "Bellaria never went out at night, as you know, but a day or two ago she received a letter, and said it would save her." "Did you see the letter?" "No. She did not show it to me. But last night I thought I heard a cry about midnight. I went to Bellaria's room and found her gone. I was afraid and ran downstairs, to find the door open, and also the big gates. Then I saw her dead, and cried out. Schaibar came and----" "You know the rest," interposed Arnold, addressing Gerald. "I lighted a match and saw that Bellaria was dead; then took Mavis away. Don't question her further. She cannot bear it." Gerald nodded, and soothed the girl, who was much terrified. "But we must find that letter," he remarked; "I am sure it has to do with the crime. Did you see anyone about, Mr. Arnold?" "No; I saw no one." "Nor did I," sobbed Mavis. "Hush, dearest, do not weep; you are safe with me. Arnold, who do you think killed Bellaria Dondi?" "Major Rebb." "Not Geary?" "Major Rebb," repeated the tutor quietly, "to secure the income. He has--as you say--sold his soul for six thousand a year." CHAPTER XVII. "AS IN A LOOKING-GLASS." The next afternoon Gerald was in London. All the way up in the train he had reflected upon the extraordinary events which had transferred Mavis from the keeping of Major Rebb to his own. In spite of surrounding dangers--and these were great--he was not at all downcast. Mavis had been protected so far, and he made sure that she would be protected to the end, which in this case meant marriage with him. The Major would never believe that Haskins had anything to do with the girl's flight, though he certainly might suspect Arnold. But if Arnold were traced to Exeter, where he intended to stay, to avert suspicion, nothing could be learned likely to incriminate him. Mavis had already gone down to Exmouth in Sammy Lee's barge, and that faithful fellow swore that he could procure her a passage to the Thames in a coaster owned by a comrade in whom he could implicitly trust.