"I agree with you there, Haskins. It does credit to your imagination as a writer of fiction. But I am glad to see that you do not accuse me of murdering Bellaria myself." "No, I do not: you are too cunning to risk your own neck," said Gerald decidedly, "you remained in the inn to prove an alibi. I believe that, but you sent Geary here to kill Bellaria, for the reasons that I have given you. Don't deny it, Rebb. The yellow-handled knife which belongs to Geary is in Morgan's possession." "Does he know that it is Geary's?" asked Rebb anxiously. "No. But I shall tell him so." "You can spare yourself the trouble. I shall tell him myself. The knife does belong to Geary, as both I and his wife and half-a-dozen other people can prove. He gave it to Bellaria, because she asked for a weapon to defend herself. Probably Mavis wrenched the knife from her at the gate and then----" "A very ingenious explanation. But I believe Geary to be guilty. He would stick at nothing, as I know from the way in which he tried to kill me last night by your orders." "Pardon me," said Rebb, not at all taken aback, "Geary attacked you because you were trying to injure me. He overheard our conversation as he returned from this place sooner than he expected. The foolish fellow, who is devoted to me, hoped to silence you by death. When he came back I rebuked him severely, and you can see that, as Geary's right arm is wounded by you, Haskins, he could not have murdered Bellaria." "I am not so sure of that," said Gerald dryly, but felt all the same that the Major was wriggling like an eel out of a very difficult position, "and your story of the way in which he wounded himself won't hold water. If I tell the truth----" "I wonder you did not while I was speaking," said Rebb, exasperatingly calm. "Why did you not?" "Because I---- Well, I have my reasons," said Gerald, nonplussed by the man's boldness. "But if I tell the story----" "Geary will be convicted of a falsehood," finished Rebb, nodding. "It will not harm my reputation as a truth-teller in any way, if that is what you mean. I suggested the excuse of an accident to Geary, and if he is questioned, on the authority of your wild statement of assault, he will say that he told me the invention, so as to keep dark his wrongful attack on you--which I would never have countenanced," ended Rebb, with great emphasis. "I shall say nothing at present, as I have my reasons for keeping silent. What do you mean to do about this murder?" "What can I do? I believe that Mavis is guilty----" "It's a lie--a lie!" cried Haskins vehemently. "No," insisted Rebb. "I really believe that she killed Bellaria. When she is captured, as she will be sooner or later, she will be tried for her life. Still, as I can swear to her insanity, she will be placed in a public asylum, with sufficient allowed out of the estate for her keep, and I----" "You will enjoy the rest of the money?"