The manager bowed his acknowledgment of his politeness, and Mr. Dunn retired.
As, about noon next day, Mr. Dunn was proceeding to the cab which was to convey him to the dock, he saw in the hall of the hotel the presiding goddess in the glass case, and the chambermaid, gallantly escorted by Inspector Jeffery, one of the waiters, and the porter.
'The witnesses, sir,' whispered the manager, pointing to them. 'The body has been removed to the dead-house, the inquest is just over, and the jury found a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.'
'Unknown!' echoed Mr. Dunn. 'Then there is no trace of the murderer?'
'Not at present, sir,' said the manager. 'Inspector Jeffery had nothing to bring forward. I wish you good-morning, sir.'
'Good-morning,' said Mr. Dunn, descending the steps.
Then, as the cab drove off, he opened his shoulders, took a long respiration, and muttered between his teeth, 'At last! Scot free!'
[CHAPTER V.]
A BLAZE OF TRIUMPH.
The voyage on board the Cuba was by no means the dreadful experience which Miss Montressor had been led to believe; in fact, when they were twenty-four hours clear of the coast of Ireland--where it was, as usual, very wet and inclement, the weather always, apparently, endeavouring to spoil the pleasure prepared by the hospitable inhabitants for their visitors--she roused up and enjoyed herself very much. At first the mere idea of food upset her, and she declared that the constant round of meals was 'disgusting;' but it was soon observed that 'when refection bell did call,' Miss Montressor was one of the first persons to smilingly take up her position at the board, and one of the last to leave it. It was a part of Mr. Bryan Duval's policy that everything should be done in the most liberal manner, and there was consequently abundance of wine and of very excellent quality, on the merits and demerits of which Mr. Duval would descant to the admiration of the company.