Fanks said nothing, but remained for a time in meditative silence, which Spolger broke by asking him if he would take some refreshment. "No, thank you," he replied, quickly. "I'm much obliged to you, sir, for your courtesy. Are you ready, Roger?" "Oh, yes, I'm coming," said Axton, rising to his feet. "Have you heard how Miss Marson is to-day, Spolger?" "Just the same, I believe." "Poor girl!" "Yes, it's dreadful!" responded Spolger, with a groan; "of course the marriage will have to be put off. I'm not sorry, because I'm so upset. Fancy being taken for a murderer!" "Oh! not as bad as that," said Fanks, good-naturedly; "I only thought you might throw some light on the mysterious affair." "Well, I can't," said Spolger, curtly. "No; I see that. Good day, sir." "Good day," replied their host, with a bow. "I hope you'll be successful in your search for the real criminal." Fanks made no reply, as he had his own idea regarding Mr. Spolger's good wishes, but departed, followed by Axton; the last thing they heard being the voice of the invalid complaining about the door being left open. When they were seated in their cab and once more on their way to Ironfields, Fanks broke the silence first. "Roger, it was a mare's nest after all." "Yes; he knows nothing." "I'm not so sure about that." "Do you mean to say he is concealing something?" "I don't know what to say," said Fanks, testily, "but I think some one else is concealing something." "Whom do you mean?" "You'll be angry if I tell you." "No, I won't. Who is it?" "Judith Varlins!" Extracts From A Detectives Note-Book ". . . It is as I thought . . . The packet was delivered to Judas . . . We (Roger and myself) met Miss Varlins by chance and had a very strange interview with her . . . She did not want me to look at the letters . . . I got my own way at last, when the packet was delivered by Judas . . . She looked at the letters, and I saw an expression of great relief on her face . . . "Query. Could she have written to Jarlchester to Melstane? . . . Were there any letters there likely to implicate her in the crime? . . . ". . . If so, those letters, I think, have been stolen, and by Judas . . . However, I can't tell for certain . . . I looked over those letters and found nothing . . . Strange! Query, What does Miss Varlins mean by this strange conduct? . . . ". . . Roger told me a queer story about Spolger concerning the pill-box . . . We went up to see Spolger, but the whole affair turned out to be a mare's nest . . . All my suspicions now point to Judith Varlins . . . ". . . Spolger and Axton have both proved their innocence of the crime. ". . . Query. What about Miss Varlins?. . ." Chapter 13 The Craft of Monsieur Judas