For two or three days he went about, asking for information concerning
the coining, and reading up details in old newspapers about the
exploits of the Saul family. Also, he went occasionally to the salon
of Senora Gredos. There he constantly met Hale and Clancy. Also Basil
came at times. That young man now adopted a somewhat insolent demeanor
towards the pair, which showed that he was now out of their clutches
and no longer had cause to fear them. Jennings felt sure that Basil
could explain much, and he half determined to get a warrant out for his
arrest in the hope that fear might make him confess. But,
unfortunately, he had not sufficient information to procure such a
thing, and was obliged to content himself with keeping a watch on young
Saxon. But the man sent to spy reported nothing suspicious about
Basil's doings.
In this perplexity of mind Jennings thought he would see Cuthbert and
relate what he had discovered. Also he hoped that Mallow might
interview Juliet and learn the truth from her. But an inquiry at
Mallow's rooms showed that he had gone out of town for a few days with
his uncle, and would not be back for another two. Pending this return,
Jennings sorted his evidence.
Then he was surprised to receive a letter from Mrs. Herne, stating that
she had returned to her place at Hampstead, and asking him to call. "I
understand from Mr. Clancy," wrote Mrs. Herne, "that you wish to see me
in connection with the death of my poor friend. I shall be at home
to-morrow at four." Then followed the signature, and Jennings put away
the note with a rather disappointed feeling. If he was right in
suspecting Mrs. Herne, she certainly felt little fear, else she would
have declined to see him. After all, his supposition that the two
women and the four men formed a gang of coiners, who worked in the
unfinished house, might turn out to be wrong. "But I'll see Mrs. Herne
and have a long talk with her," said Jennings to himself. "And then
I'll show the knife to Cuthbert Mallow. Also I may examine the
unfinished house. If coiners have been there, or are there, I'll soon
find out. Mallow hunting for ghosts, probably, made only a cursory
examination. And I'll take Drudge to Hampstead with me."
Drudge was a detective who adored Jennings and thought him the very
greatest man in England. He was usually employed in watching those
whom his superior suspected, and Jennings could always rely on his
orders being honestly executed. In this instance Drudge was to wait
some distance from the house of Mrs. Herne until Jennings came out
again. Then on the conversation which had taken place would depend
further orders. The man was silent and lean, with a pair of sad eyes.
He followed Jennings like a dog and never spoke unless he was required
to answer a question.