"It was not blackmail," said Bocaros indignantly, and really he seemed to believe what he said. "I made her leave the money to me, and then I told her the truth." "The whole truth?" "Not then. I did not wish her to make trouble at once. I told her that her husband's real name was Fane, and that he had a wife and child. But I did not say where the house was." "Well, what happened?" "Fane came back as Brand, saying he had changed his mind about going to Australia. I advised Flora to take an impression of his latch-key, so that she could prove the house was Fane's, by its opening the door. She thought this a good idea. Also, she wished to get inside to see the White Room about which I had told her. She took the impression when Fane was asleep. I had the keys made." "How many?" asked Arnold quickly; "one was sent to me by you." "No; I did not send that. Three keys were made. One Flora kept herself, and two she gave me. I used one to enter the house myself----" "Oh, you acknowledge you were in the house?" "I do. I lost the other key." "Where?" demanded Arnold, looking keenly at the man who seemed to speak in all good faith. Bocaros again looked bewildered. "I hardly know. I left it in this room, and I never found it again." "Did you not send the key to me?" "No; I swear I did not." "Then who did?" "I can't say. The key was left here, and lost. I used the other." "H'm!" said Arnold, after a pause. "Go on, and tell us about your doings on that night. We can talk of the missing key later. What happened?" "I appointed to meet Mrs. Brand in the garden. She had the key, and so had I. She told me that she had written asking her husband to come up. She sent the letter to Ajax Villa, and thought it would be sent on. I was annoyed at this." "Did she tell you this when you met?" "No; because we did not meet on that night." "How was that?" "I was kept till late at the school and could not get away. It was ten o'clock before I left, as I could not get away earlier although I pleaded an engagement. I thought Flora would enter the house and wait. I arrived a few minutes after ten, and saw the light burning, I then thought she was waiting. I entered with my own key, and went upstairs to where the light was. It was the White Room. There I saw Flora dead--stabbed under the left shoulder-blade. On seeing this I grew afraid, and came away at once." "Oh!" said Arnold, after another pause; "so it was you Fane heard in the house after ten o'clock?" "I was there after ten, and I went away early at half-past." "Who was with you?" asked Tracey; "Fane said there were two men." "I was alone," said Bocaros; "there was no one with me. All happened as I say. I grew afraid, seeing that I was Flora's cousin, and that it was I who had brought her to the house. Also, I had got the keys for her, and she had made a will in my favour. I fancied if I were found I would be arrested and hanged."