I saw her in a little room off the salon where the play went on." The detective was surprised by this ready admission, and at once became suspicious.

It would seem that Mrs.Octagon, expecting such a question, was uncommonly ready to answer it.

"May I ask why you went to see this woman ?" he demanded.
An innocent woman would have resented this question, but Mrs.Octagon ostentatiously seized the opportunity to clear herself, and thereby increased Jennings' suspicions.

"Certainly," she said in an open manner and with a rather theatrical air, "I went to beg my son's life from this fair siren." "What on earth do you mean ?" "Basil," said Mrs.Octagon, in her deep, rich voice, "is too fond of this fair stranger--Spanish, is she not ?" "She says she is," said the cautious Jennings.
Mrs.Octagon shot a glance of suspicion at him, but at once resumed her engaging manner.

"The foolish boy loves her," she went on, clasping her hands and becoming poetical, "his heart is captured by her starry eyes and he would wed her for her loveliness.