"Out of forty thousand. It's cheap at the price." "I refuse to allow this," said Darrel, loudly. "Balkis, you are my relation. Stand by me." "Ah! you remember I am of your blood when you want me," said the negress, bitterly. "Well, I shall do what you wish." "Then I wish this," said Darrel, strong in this support. "Do not let any of these people leave this place alive till I get what I want. Lancaster must be hanged, I must marry Mildred Starth, and I must have twenty thousand a-year given to me." "Very modest you are! murmured Jarman; while Tamaroo, glancing at Balkis, smiled slightly. "What about us?" asked Berry and Fan. "I will see that you have money also," said Darrel. "I am master of the situation now." "And you intend to hang me?" cried Frank, his blood up. "Then not one of you will get a penny. Denham shall have the money if I die." "Or the charity," put in Eustace. "Frank has only to commit suicide, which is better than being hanged, and the money goes to the charity. I think you'd better make terms, Berry." "I intend to. Leave me alone, Darrel. Lancaster, will you give me and Fan ten thousand a-year between us if I prove your innocence?" "Yes, I will do that. I'll make an agreement if you like." "Oh, I can trust you. You can do nothing till you have the proof. I have the confession of the person who killed Starth. It is locked up in my strong-box at my rooms. The key is on my watch-chain. When we leave here you will come to my lawyers, and we can arrange with Tamaroo here about getting a document drawn up. When all is tight and right, you will get the paper that proves your innocence." "And whose guilt?" asked Frank. "I can tell you," said Eustace, quickly. "I have suspected the man for some time. Darrel, _you_ shot Starth." "I did not," said the big man, hoarsely. "Yes, you did," said Berry, relentlessly. "I can chuck you now, since I am right myself. I found you in the room with the dead body. I let myself in with my latch-key. I could have denounced you, but having my own game to play I let you off on your signing a confession. You did so in the room at Sand Lane." "It's a lie--it's a lie!" said Darrel, turning grey. "It is true, I believe," said Eustace, quickly. "Tamaroo says that Berry was coming to the house." "I was," said Berry. "You may as well know all. I wanted Lancaster hanged to let Natty have the money--" "We know all that," said Frank. "Go on. Tell us something new." "I will tell you--" began the Captain, when Darrel, dashing forward, caught him by the throat. The two rolled over on the floor, while Fan shrieked, and jumped on a divan to be out of the way. Balkis rose to her feet and waved the other three men out of the room. "Go! Go!"