"This," interpolated Gramp, addressing no one in particular, "is very painful." "You beast! Why do you come into my life again? I wanted to know about my poor husband's death, and I brought up my jewels to bribe the man who called himself Cicero Gramp into confessing who had murdered him. I find that my own brother is the blackmailer. You would extort money from me, you wretch! Never! never! never! I disown you--I cast you out! William Spinks, blackguard you were! Cicero Gramp, scoundrel, thief, blackmailer, and, for all I know, murderer, you are! Away with you--away!" and Mrs. Warrender, very white in face and very exhausted in body, sat down. "Very good," said her brother, rising; "I go." "Without your fifty pounds?" asked Alan, sneering. "I forgot that," he said, smiling blandly. "Don't give him a penny, Mr. Thorold!" cried the woman with vehemence. "I promised him the money, and he shall have it," replied Alan coldly. "I have heard your story, Mrs. Warrender, and it is safe with me. No one in Heathton shall know. Your brother will not speak of it either." "How do you know that?" asked Cicero, with an evil look. "Because you shall not have the fifty pounds until I have your promise to hold your tongue about your relationship to Mrs. Warrender while you are in Heathton." "I am not going to Heathton," growled Gramp like a sulky bear. "Yes, you are. You are coming to tell your story to Inspector Blair. If you don't, not only will you lose your fifty pounds, but I will have you arrested as a suspicious character." "You promised that the police should not touch me." "I promised nothing of the sort. Now, tell me what you saw of these crimes--for there are two: sacrilege and murder--and then come to Heathton. Behave well, keep Mrs. Warrender's secret, and you shall have fifty pounds and your freedom. Otherwise----" Alan held up his finger. "Oh, Mr. Thorold!" cried the widow, wringing her hands, "if this horrible man comes to Heathton, I am lost!" "Indeed no! He will hold his tongue. Won't you?" "You seem very sure of it," said the professor of eloquence. "Of course I am. You see, Mr. Gramp, I have the handling of the late Mr. Marlow's money, and I can buy your silence." "Not for fifty pounds." "We shall see about that. It's either fifty pounds or the police. Choose!" Cicero folded his arms, and bowed his head. "I will take the money," he said, "and I will hold my tongue--while I am at Heathton giving my evidence. Afterwards----" he looked at his sister. "Afterwards," said Alan smoothly, "we will make other arrangements. Now tell your story." "And tell the truth!" put in Mrs. Warrender sharply. "Clara Maria!" Cicero was about to break forth in furious speech, but he restrained himself. "_Hodie mihi eras tibi!_" said Mr. Gramp, with a strange look at Alan--"if you understand Latin."