"No, no, no!" cried Beatrice fiercely; "you lie!"
"I don't lie, now," said Waterloo sullenly; "it's the truth. And wen Mr. Paslow sawr me comin' over the gate, he bolted, leaving his handkerchief behind."
"Ah!" Beatrice remembered what Durban had said about the handkerchief. "Mr. Paslow left that with Mr. Alpenny on the day he quarrelled with him, previous to the death."
"Did Mr. Paslow explain that himself?" asked Ruck sneeringly.
"No. Durban gave me the explanation. I never spoke to Mr. Paslow of the handkerchief, as I believed Durban."
"And Durban told that lie to save your asking Mr. Paslow. Though, I dare say," added the Major with a shrug, "that Paslow would have lied also had you spoken to him."
"It was in a pocket behind the rep curtains," said Beatrice.
"And Durban found it. I know all about that. But at the moment we could not find the necklace, and as you might be back at any moment, according to Waterloo here, we had to go away. But I picked up Mr. Paslow's handkerchief where he left it on the ground while struggling with his victim, and, soaking it in the blood, I left it beside the body in the counting-house."
"I found it," said Beatrice. "Why did you do that?"
"I wanted Paslow to be accused, since he would not join us. However, you found it, and Durban explained its presence there by a lie. Waterloo and the other man, whose name need not be mentioned, as he is our executioner----"
"Ah! You did not intend to kill Mr. Alpenny yourself?"
"That is impossible; he is married already. I don't suppose you intend to kill Mrs. Paslow with that executioner of yours?"
"Oh no,"--the Major shuddered,--"I can fix matters without going so far. Believe me, Miss Hedge--or, rather, Miss Hall--I can do all I say. You will marry Paslow--that is, if you are willing to take a hand which is stained with blood."
"I don't believe that he is guilty."
"What! Not after all the evidence?"
"No. I cannot believe that Vivian would act in such a way."
"And the beast was here only a few moments ago. Where is he?"
"Where you won't find him. He met me down the stairs a short time since, and told me what I now tell you--that the . He hates you, Major, because you once horsewhipped the poor wretch. He also told me that missy was here, and I came to save her from being taken along with your scoundrels. Waterloo has hidden himself; where he is, I don't know. He guessed that I would tell you, I suppose, as I let him know that I knew of his treachery. You won't get him, Major."
"Oh yes, I shall," said Ruck grimly. "I'm not going to be betrayed by a reptile like that without revenging myself. All the same, Miss Hall, I hold you to my terms. Remember, The Camp in two days--seven in the evening of the second day."