was no doubt that the presence of Hustings and his eminently common-sense method of dealing with her stormy mood, improved Aileen into a better frame of mind. Good food, and cheerful conversation, did wonders towards strengthening her to meet with equanimity what further troubles the future might hold. Recognizing that tears and wordy lamentations would hinder, rather than help, the girl addressed herself with calm resolution to the task in hand. “Before we begin to talk,” she informed her co-worker, “it will be best to get Jenny to clear away, as we don’t want any interruption,” and she forthwith summoned the domestic to do what was required.
Jenny obeyed with cumbersome jocularity, greatly gratified that her cooking had been appreciated. “Left nothing but the dishes, you ’ave,” said Jenny, tramping out of the parlour with a laden tray and when alone on the hither side of the door, she murmured a benediction on the young couple. “And I do ’ope as they’ll tork of themselves, ’stead of ’er, as is only gitting wot she’s bin arsking fur. Them two dears is well rid of ’er, I don’t think!” She chuckled hoarsely and glanced longingly at the key-hole. The temptation to peer and listen was great; but, as she regarded herself as the fairy godmother of the lovers, the temptation was nobly withstood. “Shouldn’t like sich poll-prying meself, when I’m with ’im,” was her conclusion, and she plunged heavily along the passage into the kitchen.
The sympathetic damsel would have been woefully disappointed had she lingered to overhear the prosaic conversation of her godchildren. “You can smoke,” said Aileen, five minutes later, after making herself comfortable on the sofa.
“And you?”—Hustings, in the arm-chair opposite, held out his cigarette-case.
She shook her head seriously. “I have not that redeeming vice.”
“Glad of it,” said Dick, shortly, “not that it’s wrong for a woman to smoke, but somehow it doesn’t fit in with my conception of an angel.”
“Oh!” said Aileen with innocent malice, “does your angel smoke then?”
He was quite equal to her. “She has just informed me that she doesn’t.”
This rash speech was rebuked with a frown. “We are brother and sister,” she reminded him, pointedly, then ran her fingers through the feathery gold of her hair with a shame-faced look. “Oh, how can I talk such nonsense and hear you talk it, when Edith is in such trouble. I feel a selfish cat.”
Dick lighted a cigarette and leaned back in his arm-chair. “If you will compare yourself to that animal, remember that cats are sensible as well as selfish. The nonsense you speak of has done you good.”
“I do feel quieter,” she confessed.
“That is the state of mind to which I have endeavoured to bring you. Now that success has crowned my efforts we can discuss this rotten business. Tell me all about it. Begin at the beginning and go on straightly to the end, without leaving out anything you have seen or heard.”
Aileen obeyed to the letter, and detailed all that had happened from the time when she sat at breakfast with Edith down to the moment when her listener found her sleeping on the sofa. She made no comment on what she told, saying neither “yea” or “nay,” but simply gave the bald facts, thereby winning the approbation of the lawyer. “You will make an excellent witness,” he said.
“Not in Edith’s favour,” she returned, sadly, and wiping her eyes.
“I speak with reference to the clear way in which you have set forth all you know!” Hustings threw away his cigarette and lighted another, “I must say that your evidence is very much against Miss Danby,” he concluded, meditatively.
“Then I shan’t give it.”
“You will be forced to give it. Don’t be silly. Any hesitation on your part would only make matters worse. Speak the truth, the whole truth, and”
“But you said just now that what I say is dead against Edith,” she interrupted.
“I say it again. It’s no use mincing matters, Aileen. Your friend is in a very dangerous position. If possible you and I must get her out of it.”
“How?”
“There you have me! I don’t agree with your theory that Miss Danby killed the man, in a fit of rage, or under the influence of opium. The crime was planned deliberately—executed deliberately. Slanton was drugged, his forehead was tattooed when he lay insensible, and finally he was strangled.”
“Strangled?” Aileen started up from the sofa, aghast.
“I made it my business to see the doctor—the Divisional-surgeon attached to the Tarhaven police-service. He is an old friend of mine, and let out more than perhaps was wise at the moment. I told him that I would be at the inquest to watch the case on Miss Danby’s behalf.”