"I don't mean what you mean," she declared angrily. "If I can prove his innocence I should be glad to do so, but I know nothing of my father's affairs or what led to his death. Mr. Ritson, the lawyer, may know. Ask him, and perhaps he will help you to prove my cousin's innocence. But things look black against Angus. Inspector Trent says so. It would be wiser if he went away." "Why do you wish him to go away?" Maud stamped her foot, "I don't want a cousin of mine to be hanged for the murder of my father," she said irritably. "Can't you see how unpleasant that would be for me? I am engaged to Bruce, but he is proud and haughty. If Angus was hanged, Bruce might refuse to become my husband." "Not while you have fifty thousand a year," said Browne, grimly. "You don't know Bruce----" "Not well, as I have only met him once. But at the first glance I saw that he was an adventurer. He is the very model of those soldiers of fortune who abounded in Europe in the Middle Ages." "And like them he may carve out a kingdom for himself." "Doubtless, since money now-a-days is more necessary than a sword to procure such a kingdom," retorted Browne. "However, that is your affair. What sum will you give Herries, always presuming that he will communicate with me?" "One thousand pounds." "Did Inspector Trent advise that sum?" "He advised nothing because he knows nothing. And he says," added the girl decisively, "that when the policeman is found, he may be able to prove my cousin's guilt." "What policeman?" "The constable called Armour, who looks after Desleigh and two other villages in the Marshes. He has disappeared." "Humph! I heard something of that. Trent was expecting him every minute, but he never turned up. But I dare say he is on his rounds, as his beat is a wide one." "No, doctor. The Inspector declares that Armour has to visit Desleigh village at least once a day. For two days he has been absent, so Mr. Trent thinks that----" "That Herries murdered the policeman as well as your father," Browne laughed. "What a mare's nest he has found. Well, Miss Tedder, I wish you every joy as the wife of the future president of the Indiana Republic!" and he bowed good-day. This time, the girl did not attempt to stop him, and Browne opened the door himself. However, she followed him into the hall. "I really wish to help Angus," she repeated, "and I am sure Bruce will do his best for my sake." "What has Captain Kyles got to do with the matter?" "I have asked him to help me to find out who killed my father." "That is, Captain Kyles is hunting for poor Herries." "Oh, I don't mean that, but--why, here is Bruce," she turned towards the passage that ran beside the stairs, and smiled. "Bruce!" In response, a tall dark man, with deep-set eyes and a reckless bearing, advanced into the hall. He held out a telegram to Miss Tedder. "It has just come from the Inspector," he said, with a stealthy glance at the commonplace looks of Dr. Browne.