th those two words he had carried conviction
to many a doubter.

"Call Sybilla Silver."

All in black--in trailing crape and sables, tall, stately, and
dignified as a young duchess--Sybilla Silver obeyed the call.

She was deeply veiled at first, and when she threw back the heavy black
veil, and the dark, bright, beautiful face looked full at judge and
jury, a low murmur thrilled through the throng.

Those who saw her for the first time stared in wonder and admiration at
the tall young woman in black, with the face and air of an Indian
queen, and those to whom she was known thought that Miss Silver had
never, since they saw her first, looked half as handsome as she did
this day.

Her brilliant bloom of color was gone; she was interestingly pale, and
her great black eyes were unnaturally deep and mournful.

"Your name is Sybilla Silver, and you reside at Kingsland Court. May
we ask in what character--as friend or domestic?"

"As both. Sir Everard Kingsland has been my friend and benefactor from
the first. I have been treated as a confidential friend both by him
and his mother."

"By the deceased Lady Kingsland also, I conclude?"

"I was in the late Lady Kingsland's confidence--yes."

"You were the last who saw her alive on the night of March tenth--the
night of the murder?"

"I was."

"Where did you part from her?"

"At her own chamber door. We bade each other good-night, and I retired
to rest immediately."

"What hour was that?"

"About ten minutes before eleven."

"What communication were you making to Lady Kingsland at that hour?"

"I came to tell her the household had all retired--that she could quit
the house unobserved whenever she chose."

"You knew, then, that she had an assignation for that night?"

"I did. It was I who brought her the message. She was to meet Mr.
Parmalee at midnight, on the stone terrace."

"Who was this Mr. Parmalee?"

"An American gentleman--a traveling photographic artist, between whom
and my lady a secret existed."

"A secret unknown to her husband?"

"Yes."

"And this secret was the cause of their mysterious midnight meeting?"

"It was. Mr. Parmalee dare not come to the house. Sir Everard had
driven him forth with blows and abuse, and forbidden him to enter the
grounds. My lady knew this, and was forced to meet him by stealth."

"Where was Sir Everard on this night?"

"At a military dinner given by Major Morrell, here in Worrel."

"What time