On these grounds he therefore excused himself to the barrister, and walked off by himself, intent on his own business. Garth, who was suffering from a bad attack of detective fever, was not over pleased at being thus dismissed; still he thought it best to obey his friend, and so he departed, to think over the aspect the case had now assumed. In fact, he intended to do a little detective business on his own account, and, if possible, he wished to surprise Fanks by an unexpected discovery. There were now three different people following three different lines of action with respect to the case, so it was to be hoped that one of them at least would run down the assassin of Sir Gregory Fellenger, unless indeed all failed on the principle that too many cooks spoil the broth. On leaving the barrister, Fanks took his way towards Tooley's Alley. It was his intention to see Mrs. Boazoph and to try an experiment on that astute lady. From her demeanour Fanks believed that the landlady of the Red Star knew more about the case than she chose to confess, and that she was anxious to screen the man or woman who had done the deed. Of this belief he wished to make certain. Mrs. Boazoph received the detective with her customary composure. She was quite prepared for his visit, as she knew that her connection with the case was too patent to escape his vigilant eye. Anticipating a trying conversation, she directed Fanks to be shown into her private sitting-room, and she braced herself up to confuse and baffle him. No one would have guessed the landlady's thoughts from the amiable manner in which she received her almost declared enemy. She was positively genial in her conversation and demeanour, and Fanks augured ill from this. "Well, Mrs. Boazoph," said he, mildly, "I suppose you are wondering what brings me here?" "Indeed I am doing no such thing, Mr. Fanks. You came to find out what I know about this crime." "I congratulate you on your perspicuity, Mrs. Boazoph. And what do you know about it?" The woman raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders. "I know nothing at all," she replied. "I gave my evidence at the inquest; you heard it." "Well?" "Well, there is nothing more to be said." "I beg to differ with you, Mrs. Boazoph; there is a great deal more to be said." "Not by me," said Mrs. Boazoph, obstinately, closing her mouth. "If you think that I am going to assist you to find out who killed this wretched man, you are very much mistaken." "Strange," said Fanks, in a musing tone, meant to reach her ear, "the same thing was said in almost the same words by Anne Colmer." "What do you know about Anne Colmer?" "More than you can guess. For instance, I know that she is the niece of--Mrs. Bryant." With a start, instantly repressed, she looked to him in a hard and fixed manner, a disbelieving smile on her lips. "Mrs. Bryant," she repeated, "and who is Mrs. Bryant?" "If you don't know, I am sure I do not." "Speak plainly. I hate epigrams."