"Andrew, where is Perry, my brother?"
Her mind seemed to be wandering somewhat.
"How should I know, dear?"
"True, he is such an unsteady body. I have worried about him of late. It has been many days since I have seen him."
The man who sat there in the shadows was silent. So long as she did not talk to him he was content. Her constant upbraiding in the past, although richly merited, was certainly unpleasant to the last degree. He hoped she might die without thinking of him or his misdeeds again.
He was not to escape thus easily, however.
"Poor Victoria! Will it ever be forgiven?"
He started at mention of that name.
Sleuth-hounds were on the track of the murderer, and it was poor satisfaction to know that his only chance of escape lay in the punishment of an innocent man, who so strongly resembled him as to complicate matters to a wonderful degree.
"Why do you mention that name?" he ventured hoarsely.