"No doubt, if you continue to supply me with such excellent plots. I wish I had your invention, Jenny." "It was not invention. You know that quite well. I found an account of the trial in an old bundle of provincial newspapers. I couldn't have made up such a story." "Jenny," asked Linton, with some apprehension, "has your father read the book?" "No; I asked him to do so, but he refuses to read novels. History is what he likes--kings and dates, and battles. Father wouldn't waste a minute over fiction." "I hope he won't be angry at your giving me the plot, Jenny." Miss Paynton stared at him in surprise, and burst into a merry laugh. His objection seemed supremely ridiculous to her at that moment. "My dear boy, why should he? The account of an old murder case can have nothing to do with him. I found the papers in the garret among a heap of old books. I don't suppose he knows of their existence." "It was a real case, wasn't it?" "Yes; it took place at Horriston in 1866. But of course the public need not know that." "Well, I told someone about it." "Oh, you are an idiot, Frank; or else," added Jenny more graciously, "you are very honest. I suppose you explained that the story was founded on fact?" "Yes." "Who asked you about it?" "Three people. An old gentleman, and two young men." "What are their names?" asked Jenny curiously. "I forget. The third one was called Tait, I think, but I don't remember the names of the other two. It doesn't matter, you know," continued the novelist hastily; "lots of authors found their plots on episodes in real life." "Oh, it's of no consequence," said Jenny idly. "I suppose they thought the plot was too clever for you to invent. At all events the credit is due to you for solving the mystery." "Ah! But did I solve it properly? Do you think Michael Dene committed the crime?" "No, I don't!" rejoined Jenny promptly. "I think Jeringham did." "Jeringham. Who is he?" "I forgot," said Jenny, with some dismay, "I did not tell you the real names of the people. Jeringham is the man you call Markham in the book. If you remember, I wanted you to make him commit the crime." "If I had done so no one would have read the book," protested the author. "His flight made it so patent that he was guilty; and I had to put the crime on to someone like Dene, whom no reader would suspect. Do you think that Markham--Jeringham really committed the murder?" "Yes, I do. If he was innocent why did he fly?" "Was he ever found again," asked Linton, with some curiosity. "Never! It is five-and-twenty years ago since the murder was committed, and it is a mystery to this day." "I'd like to read that newspaper report for myself," said the author, after a pause. "Could you not let me see it?" Jenny shook her head. "I'm afraid not," she replied guiltily. "You see Kerry found me with the papers one day and took them away. He was very angry, and said I had no business to look at them."