Cain drew near and was about to speak, when his ear was suddenly seized by a large dark man, who frowned. "Why aren't you seeing Miss Lorry, you young scamp?" said the stranger. "I've got to do your business. Mr. Stag asked you particularly to give that note. Hand it over." "I'll take it now," said Cain, getting free; "leave my ear alone." "You give the note to me, Cain. Who is this?" and he looked at Jane. "She's a friend of mine from Wargrove," said Cain sulkily; "get back into the cart, Jane." "From Wargrove?" said the dark man with a queer smile; "and her name?" "I'm Jane Wasp, sir," said the girl, looking into the man's somewhat brutal face. The man laughed. "Policeman Wasp's daughter, as I'm a sinner. How's your fool of a father? Catching every one he shouldn't catch, I suppose? He was always too clever." Cain interposed. "Leave her alone fa----, I mean Signor Antonio," he said, "she's going home." Signor Antonio turned on him with a snarl. "Hold your tongue, you whelp," he said, "I'll talk to whom I like and as long as I like. I want to know what Policeman Wasp's doing now?" "He's looking after the murderer of Mr. Strode," said Jane politely. The man started and laughed. "I hope he'll catch him: but it's a business rather beyond his powers, I fancy. Stop, you're the girl who delivered the package to Mr. Hill." "To young Mr. Hill," said Jane, climbing into Mrs. Whiffles cart, "not to the father." Signor Antonio turned on the boy with a frown. "I told you it was to be given to Mr. Hill himself." "Well, he got it right enough," said Cain impatiently. "I gave it to Jane at Colchester, and she took it to Mr. Allen, who gave it to his father." "And what happened?" "I don't know," said Jane. "I didn't see Mr. Hill get it." "You fool," cried Antonio turning on Cain with another snarl. "I wanted the girl to report how Hill looked when he opened the package, and now----" "Jane's got nothing to do with this business," said Cain resolutely, "and I won't have her mixed up in your affairs." "Do you know who I am?" demanded the man, black with anger. "Yes," replied the boy with a queer look; "you're Signor Antonio." Jane thought she would interfere as there seemed to be a chance of a quarrel. "Mr. Hill went to London after he got the parcel." "On the same day?" asked the man eagerly. "Yes, sir. Jacobs, who drives him, told me he went within two hours after he opened the parcel. He's gone up to attend a sale----" "Oh," sneered Signor Antonio, "so he's gone to attend a sale? Very good, that's all right. The parcel was a notice about a sale----" "Of musical instruments, I know, sir. Jacobs told me." "You speak too much to Jacobs," cried Cain; "remember you're engaged to marry me, Jane." "Stuff and nonsense," said Signor Antonio, who in spite of his Italian name and looks did not speak his own language; "you'll not marry the girl." "But I shall," said Cain, setting his teeth; "mind your own business."