31/33 She wrote that out to clear herself in case she was arrested for the blackmail, and perhaps in case Braddock refused to help her--as he certainly did, if you remember." "He was hard on her," confessed Archie slowly. "However, Cockatoo arrived unluckily on the scene, and when he found she had parted with the emerald, and had written out the truth, he stabbed her. If we hadn't come just in the nick of time, he would have annexed that confession, and the truth would never have become known. No one," ended Random, rising and stretching himself, "would connect Braddock or Cockatoo with the death of Mrs.Jasher." "Or with the death of Sidney Bolton either," said Hope, also rising and putting on his cap. "What an actor the man is!" "Where are you going ?" demanded Sir Frank, yawning. |