"Perhaps it is."
"Was he actually tried—that Lord Mulcaster?"
The wretched Uvo groaned and nodded.
"What for, Mr. Delavoye?"
"His life!" exclaimed Uvo, moistening his lips. Miss Julia beamed and puckered with excitement.
"How very dreadful, to be sure! And had he actually committed a murder?"
"I've no doubt he had," said Uvo, eagerly. "I wouldn't put anything past him, as they say; but in those days it wasn't necessary to take life in order to forfeit your own. There were lots of other capital offences. The mere kidnapping of the young lady, exactly as you describe it——"
"But did he really do such a thing?" demanded Miss Julia.
And her obviously genuine amazement redoubled mine.
"Exactly as you have described it," repeated Delavoye. "He travelled in the East, commenced Bluebeard on his return, fished his Fatima like yours out of some little shop down Shoreditch way, and even drove her to your own expedient of turning her tears to account!"