"And I love him. All the same--Durban," she broke off in her turn, "I want to hear all you know about Mr. Paslow. "I know nothing, missy," said Durban, looking profoundly surprised; "he is poor but good-hearted, and I like him." "You don't think that he--he would commit a crime?" asked Miss Hedge faintly, and clinging to the servant. "No!" cried Durban, with great assurance. "What makes you think that?" "Mr. Alpenny said----" Durban did not give her time to finish. "Master would accuse any one of anything, to gain his ends," he said quietly. "He did not wish you to marry Mr. Paslow, because it was to his interest that you should marry Major Ruck." "So he said. Do you know this Major?" "Yes," said Durban, with some hesitation, "and a wicked man he is. If he comes to marry you, missy, tell Mr. Paslow, and he'll settle him." "I don't expect that I shall see Major Ruck." "I don't know," muttered the servant doubtfully; "the Major won't let you slip through his fingers if he can help it." "Durban, you seem to know much that you will not tell me?" "I do know a lot; but it is useless to tell you, missy." "Not even about Colonel Hall's death, Durban?" The half-caste turned green, and winced. "Not even about that, missy," he said coldly. "Get the money, marry Mr. Paslow, and go away from this place." "Do you think Mrs. Snow is right?" persisted Beatrice, wondering at his nervous looks. "Did the man who killed Colonel Hall, kill Mr.----" "I don't know--I can't say," interrupted Durban, gloomily; "it might have been another one of them." "Are there then two men who wear black patches over the----" Durban clenched his long, nervous hand. "You'll drive me mad with these questions," he said fiercely, and with less of his usual respect. "I tell you, missy, I know much, and yet I know nothing which it would do any good for you to hear. I have watched over you in the past, and I shall watch over you in the future. You have been surrounded by devils. Master was the worst; but now that he is dead, all danger is at an end. You have the money, and you can go away." "You speak in riddles." "Let them remain riddles if you have any love for me," said Durban moodily; and Beatrice, although anxious to hear more, held her peace. After all, she had her own cross to bear. In some way Vivian was mixed up with this horrible crime. He could not possibly be guilty of it, in spite of the evidence. Moreover, Mrs. Snow said that the assassin was the same as he who had killed Colonel Hall, which would put Vivian's innocence beyond a doubt. In spite of her desire to obey Durban to whom she owed so much, Beatrice had to insist on an answer to this question. "I won't ask you anything more," she said to the sullen man--and he was sullen--"only this: Is the assassin of Colonel Hall the assassin of Mr. Alpenny?" "I think so," muttered the man, "but I cannot be sure." "You must be sure, for my peace of mind, Durban."