"Oh, thanks, I think I should prefer to be quite business-like. And perhaps you will show this to Mrs. Darrow." She sat down to the table, and producing a stamp from her purse, affixed it to her acknowledgment of the money. "There," she said, handing it to him, "I think that is sufficient. And now, before I go, there is something else I must speak to you about. When I leave here, I am going straight to the Police Station at Southampton to see the inspector." "In Heaven's name what for!" exclaimed the perplexed Major. "Because Mrs. Darrow accuses me of having aided and abetted someone to murder Mr. Barton and steal his will." "Mrs. Darrow has dared to say that? She is mad!" "No, hardly mad--malicious," replied Miriam with a faint smile. "But you will hear all she has got to say very shortly. She is sure to come to you with it." "But I can't understand how such an idea could enter her head. It is monstrous!" "Let me tell you something," said Miriam. "Not long ago a young man--who for the present must be nameless, save to tell you he is known as Jabez--came down from London to see me here. His object was to obtain from me money to enable him to go to America. This young man and I were brought up together, and I was devoted to him. Years after we met in London. I was in terribly poor circumstances, and he--well, I must confess it, he had reached the lowest depths of dissipation and despair. I was sorry for him even so, and I helped him in the only small way I could. Whenever I had the money to give him he had it. Ever since he has always looked to me for help. He knew I was here and comfortably placed, and he insisted upon coming down to see me. Very much against my will I met him by appointment one evening--it was Christmas Eve--in the churchyard. Mrs. Darrow followed me and overheard my conversation with him. It is upon what she says she heard that she bases this charge. It is of course a very serious charge, and because of this clandestine meeting I feel more strongly impelled than I might otherwise do (seeing the sort of woman Mrs. Darrow is, and is known to be) to take immediate action to clear myself." "But the facts! my dear Miss Crane--I don't see how----Oh, the whole thing is too ridiculous for words. Now come, you really must leave this to me. I will see Julia at once. This is going a little too far. Believe me, your character will be quite safe in my keeping. I----" "Yes, yes, I know, Major. You are more than good. But I feel it is a matter in which I should act for myself. I shall go to Southampton and forestall Mrs. Darrow." "But you will let me know where you are--we shall meet again soon?" "That I cannot say. You see from Southampton I shall go straight to London. It is very unlikely that we shall meet." "But, Miss Crane, you must not take yourself away like this. Don't, I beg of you. It is not quite fair on--I mean, at least you will tell me where I may find you in London? Believe me, I----"