ing
short of the discovery of the real slayer of Samoval could save him--and
that was a matter wrapped in the profoundest mystery. The only man who
could conceivably have fought Samoval in such a place was Sir Terence
himself. But then it was utterly inconceivable that in that case Sir
Terence, who was the very soul of honour, should not only keep silent
and allow another man to suffer, but actually sit there in judgment
upon that other; and, besides, there was no quarrel, nor ever had been,
between Sir Terence and Samoval.

"There is," Major Swan was saying, "just one other matter upon which I
should like to question Lady O'Moy." And thereupon he proceeded to do
so: "Your ladyship will remember that on the day before the event in
which Count Samoval met his death he was one of a small luncheon party
at your house here in Monsanto."

"Yes," she replied, wondering fearfully what might be coming now.

"Would your ladyship be good enough to tell the court who were the other
members of that party?"

"It--it was hardly a party, sir," she answered, with her unconquerable
insistence upon trifles. "We were just Sir Terence and myself, Miss
Armytage, Count Samoval, Colonel Grant, Major Carruthers and Captain
Tremayne."

"Can your ladyship recall any words that passed between the deceased and
Captain Tremayne on that occasion--words of disagreement, I mean?"

She knew that there had been something, but in her benumbed state of
mind she was incapable of remembering what it was. All that remained in
her memory was Sylvia's warning after she and her cousin had left the
table, Sylvia's insistence that she should call Captain Tremayne away to
avoid trouble between himself and the Count. But, search as she would,
the actual subject of disagreement eluded her. Moreover, it occurred to
her suddenly, and sowed fresh terror in her soul, that, whatever it was,
it would tell against Captain Tremayne.

"I--I am afraid I don't remember," she faltered at last.

"Try to think, Lady O'Moy."

"I--I have tried. But I--I can't." Her voice had fallen almost to a
whisper.

"Need we insist?" put in the president compassionately. "There are
sufficient witnesses as to what passed on that occasion without further
harassing her ladyship."

"Quite so, sir," the major agreed in his dry voice. "It only remains for
the prisoner to question the witness if he so wishes."

Tremayne shook his head. "It is quite unnecessary, sir," he assured the
pre