Eustace produced the piece of ribbon. "Do you know where I found this?" he asked, dangling it between finger and thumb. "You bought it, I suppose," she said quietly. Eustace shook his head. "Observe, it is of the same pattern as your dress--as the ribbon you wear round your neck." "What's that to do with me?" "Simply this. It belongs to you, and was lost in a house in Sand Lane, Kensington, where a--" Balkis made a step towards him, and her big eyes rolled savagely. "Why are you talking like this?" she asked hoarsely. "If you know Tamaroo he will tell you." "Tell me yourself, mister." "There's no reason why I should not. I have come here for certain information, and I don't go away till I get it." "Information about what?" she demanded unpleasantly. "About certain people whom you know. Captain Berry, his niece, Tamaroo, and Lancaster." "Lancaster--the wretch who murdered my Walter!" cried Balkis, with a tragic air. "See here, mister, I have men below--foreign men, who carry knives. At a word from me they'd cut your tongue out." "At the risk of having a hole drilled through them," said Eustace. Balkis seemed disconcerted, as she apparently did not expect that he would be armed. "Who are you--your name?" "Eustace Jarman." To his surprise Balkis made a clutch at his hand, and shook it warmly. "Why didn't you say so before? Where do you live?" "In Essex--at Wargrove." "Who had you for housekeeper?" "Miss Cork, who now is Mrs. Burl." Balkis clapped her huge hands. "You're the right man. I expected you would come and see me." "You expected me?" "Yes. Tamaroo told me you would come, sooner or later. And then I heard of you in 'Frisco. Mrs. Anchor! Eh?" said Balkis, archly. "Oh, so you don't come from Zanzibar?" "Who said I did?" "Walter Starth told Lancaster." The face of the negress grew sad. "Yes, I told Walter that, for--for reasons with which you have nothing to do. Well, what do you come to me for, Mr. Jarman?" "To see if you are the friend or the enemy of Berry?" "I am neither the one nor the other," she said frankly. "I knew him in San Francisco, and in Jamaica. He is a sailor, and found me out through following my Walter." "Why did he follow him?" "I can't tell you that yet," she said suspiciously. "Walter came here to smoke. He was fond of a pipe. He met Captain Berry up West, and Berry followed him here. Then we recognised one another, and good old Banjo often came here to smoke a pipe. But why do you ask these questions?" Eustace reflected. She appeared to be frank, and certainly did not side with Berry to any great extent. He thought it best to trust her, for even if she made use of the information he gave her it would not benefit her in any way. "You loved Walter Starth?" asked Eustace. The big negress, who had been standing, dropped into a chair.