ot been at the house at all, but was travelling
in Switzerland; and that Lord Harry was gone on a long journey. And she
was sent into Switzerland to get her out of the way. I gather from all
this that Lady Harry was taken away by her husband directly she
arrived--most likely by night--and that of the murder she knew
nothing.'

"'No--no--she could know nothing! That, at least, they dared not tell
her. But about the rest? How much does she know? How far has she lent
herself to the conspiracy? Mrs. Vimpany, I shall go back to London
to-night. We will travel by the night train. I feel quite strong
enough.'

"I began this letter in Scotland; I finish it in London.

"We are back again in town. Come to the hotel at once, and see us."

So, there was now a Man to advise. For once, Fanny was thankful for the
creation of Man. To the most misanthropic female there sometimes comes
a time when she must own that Man has his uses. These two women had now
got a Man with whom to take counsel.

"I do not ask you," said Mr. Mountjoy, with grave face, "how far this
statement of yours is true: I can see plainly that it is true in every
particular."

"It is quite true, sir; every word of it is true. I have been tempted
to make out a worse case against the doctor, but I have kept myself to
the bare truth."

"You could not make out a worse case against any man. It is the
blackest case that I ever heard of or read. It is the foulest murder. I
do not understand the exact presence of Lord Harry when the medicine
was given. Did he see the doctor administer it? Did he say anything?"

"He turned white when the doctor told him that the man was going to
die--that day, perhaps, or next day. When the doctor was pouring out
the medicine he turned pale again and trembled. While the doctor was
taking the photograph he trembled again. I think, sir--I really
think--that he knew all along that the man was going to die, but when
it came to the moment, he was afraid. If it had depended on him, Oxbye
would be alive still."

"He was a consenting party. Well; for the moment both of you keep
perfect silence. Don't discuss the timing with each other lest you
should be overheard: bury the thing. I am going to make some
inquiries."

The first thing was to find out what steps had been taken, if any, with
insurance companies. For Iris's sake his inquiry had to be conducted
quite openly. His object must seem none other than the discovery of
Lady Harry Norlan