e--even the patience of a bereaved
wife. This cool question irritated Mrs. Ferrari into expressing
herself plainly at last.

'He discovered Lady Montbarry and the Baron!' she answered, with a
burst of hysterical vehemence. 'The Baron is no more that vile woman's
brother than I am. The wickedness of those two wretches came to my
poor dear husband's knowledge. The lady's maid left her place on
account of it. If Ferrari had gone away too, he would have been alive
at this moment. They have killed him. I say they have killed him, to
prevent it from getting to Lord Montbarry's ears.' So, in short sharp
sentences, and in louder and louder accents, Mrs. Ferrari stated her
opinion of the case.

Still keeping his own view in reserve, Mr. Troy listened with an
expression of satirical approval.

'Very strongly stated, Mrs. Ferrari,' he said. 'You build up your
sentences well; you clinch your conclusions in a workmanlike manner.
If you had been a man, you would have made a good lawyer--you would
have taken juries by the scruff of their necks. Complete the case, my
good lady--complete the case. Tell us next who sent you this letter,
enclosing the bank-note. The "two wretches" who murdered Mr. Ferrari
would hardly put their hands in their pockets and send you a thousand
pounds. Who is it--eh? I see the post-mark on the letter is "Venice."
Have you any friend in that interesting city, with a large heart, and a
purse to correspond, who has been let into the secret and who wishes to
console you anonymously?'

It was not easy to reply to this. Mrs. Ferrari began to feel the first
inward approaches of something like hatred towards Mr. Troy. 'I don't
understand you, sir,' she answered. 'I don't think this is a joking
matter.'

Agnes interfered, for the first time. She drew her chair a little
nearer to her legal counsellor and friend.

'What is the most probable explanation, in your opinion?' she asked.

'I shall offend Mrs. Ferrari if I tell you,' Mr. Troy answered.

'No, sir, you won't!' cried Mrs. Ferrari, hating Mr. Troy undisguisedly
by this time.

The lawyer leaned back in his chair. 'Very well,' he said, in his most
good-humoured manner. 'Let's have it out. Observe, madam, I don't
dispute your view of the position of affairs at the palace in Venice.
You have your husband's letters to justify you; and you have also the
significant fact that Lady Montbarry's maid did really leave the house.
We will say, then, that Lord Montb