"Thank you, I don't wish to receive any compliments," sneered Maunders, "and, for heaven's sake, let us get this business over at once. I have more to do than to explain my private affairs to interlopers." Vernon laughed as he saw that under his air of bravado Maunders was intensely anxious about his position. "That cock won't fight," he said coolly. "You must be aware that you are in a very dangerous position." "I am aware of nothing of the sort. I can justify myself----" "Do so, as regards your masquerading." "Is it a crime to earn an honest livelihood?" "Honest!" said Towton with scorn, "but let that pass." "Fortune-telling is as honest as your detective business," said Maunders insolently to Vernon. "I am Diabella. Why should I deny it?" "You can't, or you would. But to dress up as a woman----" "I didn't," denied Maunders with a scowl. "I simply wore those Egyptian robes over my ordinary clothes and the waxen mask to conceal my face. Also, all that rotten paraphernalia seems to be necessary to the business." "I daresay, to deceive people," said Vernon drily. "Why did you act in this way, may I ask?" "Because I couldn't get my mother to allow me sufficient money to live on." "I thought that Mrs. Bedge was your aunt?" put in the Colonel quickly. "So she is, but I am likewise her adopted son. She kept me short, and I had to earn my money somehow. For three years I have masqueraded as Diabella, and, although I don't want it known, I don't mind if you do tell, as no one can say a word against me." "I can," said Towton grimly. "You employed your servant to strangle me." Maunders shook his head violently. "I did nothing of the sort. Hokar----" "Is that the native's name?" interposed Vernon suddenly. "Yes. I had two native servants. Hokar and Bahadur, and they are both devoted to me. When you, Colonel, tried to pull off my mask naturally Hokar intervened to prevent your doing so. In the same way, Vernon, he punished you for using violence towards me. And I prevented the faithful fellow from strangling you both, so you have your lives to thank me for." "Why didn't you prevent him from strangling Dimsdale?" asked Towton. "I swear that Hokar had nothing to do with that murder, nor had I." "Of course, you would say that for your own safety," said Vernon contemptuously; "but how was it that you became possessed of Dimsdale's secret?" Maunders hesitated. "I am not bound to answer that," he said defiantly. "If you don't answer me you will answer Drench," threatened Vernon firmly. "Drench? You would not dare to bring him into this matter?" "Why not? Dimsdale was blackmailed on account of a certain secret, and, because he would not pay, perished by violence. You know this secret, so the inference is that you----"