"Do you know who committed the murder?" "No, I do not. I found something which I think belongs to him, and may lead to his detection. You shall have it for fifty pounds." "Why do you come to me?" "You are engaged to Miss Pethram, and it is to your interest to find out who killed her father. Besides, you will pay me money. If I went to Sir Thomas or to Sir Rupert's solicitor, they would probably refuse to give me a penny, and I want the money for my son." "If I give you a cheque for fifty pounds you will give me this--this--whatever it is you have in your bag?" "I will; but I don't like cheques. I'd rather have the money in gold." "You mistrust me?" "I don't like cheques," reiterated Mrs. Belk, doggedly. Maxwell reflected a few moments, then made up his mind what to do, and rang the bell. When the servant who attended to all the chambers in the building entered, he handed him a cheque for fifty pounds, made payable to bearer, and drawn on the Piccadilly Bank, a branch of which was not far distant. "Take a hansom and cash this at once--gold. Will you be long?" "About ten minutes, sir." The servant departed, and Maxwell turned to Mrs. Belk, who observed ail these doings with a satisfied smile. "You see I am treating you fairly," he said quietly; "and when the messenger returns I will place those fifty pounds in your hands." "Very well, sir. In return I will give you what is in here," "I do not like this distrust!" cried Maxwell, angrily. "I am a country woman, sir; I know nothing of London ways." She was evidently obdurate, and there was silence for a few minutes. Then Archie made another attempt to extract information from her. "Where did you find this--whatever it is?" "I will tell you, sir, when you have it in your hands." "Do you know to whom it belongs?" "No, sir." "It seems to me that I am paying a heavy price for what is of comparatively little value." "I may be able to tell you something in addition to giving this to you." "Likely to be of service in connection with it?" "Yes, I think so." "Humph! Is this clue which you have of value?" "To you, yes." "Of pecuniary value, I mean?" "Yes, it is valuable." "Then why did you not sell it instead of giving it to me for fifty pounds?" "Sir," said Mrs. Belk, coldly, "I am an honest woman. The thing is not mine to sell. Money obtained dishonestly brings no good luck, and as this money is for my son, I do not wish it to be cursed." "The fifty pounds I now give you may be the price of a man's blood. You are strangely scrupulous. You will not steal, but you will hang a man." "If he is guilty he deserves to die. Credit rather than blame is mine for handing him over to justice." Maxwell looked curiously at her. "You speak above your station in life." "Very probably," replied Mrs. Belk, indifferently. "I have had some education."