"But," objected Larcher, "she was a widow when she married Hilliston." "So I believe. A Mrs. Derrick. No doubt she came by all her money through that first marriage. Oh, I can put the puzzle easily together. No wonder Hilliston wanted the case dropped, both on his own account and on that of his wife." "What do you mean, Tait? Do you suspect that----" "Say no more," said Tait, rising, "I will tell you what I mean after you have seen Paynton. But then," added he significantly, "I don't think you will need any explanation." CHAPTER XXXVI. A STRANGE THING HAPPENS. THE next morning Claude received a second letter from Hilliston, stating that as his wife was ill he would be unable to come over to Thorston, but directing the young man to go to Rose Cottage at noon, when Mr. Paynton would be ready to receive him. Tait regretted that he had not been included in the invitation, and carefully instructed Claude how to act during the interview. "I believe Paynton can settle the matter," were his parting words, "so put love out of your head for the time being, and do your best to extract the truth." Anxious to oblige one who took so much interest in his private affairs, Larcher promised to do what he could, and shortly after eleven started for Rose Cottage. As a matter of fact, he need not have gone so soon, but he did so in the hope of meeting with Jenny. Well acquainted as he was with her movements, his surmise proved correct, for he met the young lady at the end of Nightingale Lane. She blushed, and expressed surprise at the meeting. But such feigning is part of love's comedy. "I did not expect to see you here, Mr. Larcher," she said, after the first greetings had passed between them. "Where are you going?" "I am about to call on your father." "Really!" said Jenny, with some perplexity and more doubt. "I am afraid you go on a useless errand. My father sees no one." "He will see me," replied Claude quietly. "I come by appointment. Mr. Hilliston spoke to your father, with the result that he has agreed to see me." "Has your visit anything to do with--with that novel?" "It has everything to do with it. I wish to ask Mr. Paynton some questions in connection with my father's death." "But he knows nothing--nothing!" cried Jenny vehemently; "he can tell you nothing! It is worse than useless for you to speak to him on the subject. You will only make him ill." "But I have to speak to him on another subject," said Claude artfully. Jenny looked up inquiringly, remarked the passion in his gaze, and turned away her face with a blush. Much as she would have liked to, she found it impossible to appear ignorant of his meaning. "It seems to me that I am the person to be first consulted," she said, with a pout. "Jenny, I----" "Hush! Here is Kerry. See my father first, and then see me. Till then good-by."