The inspector bowed and looked attentive.
"Indeed it is of so strange and distressing a nature that I scarcely know how to explain it," she said.
"I beg you will feel no hesitation in making your communication, madam. We are accustomed to receive strange and distressing complaints."
"Sir," said Claudia, gently preparing the way, "you have not failed, then, in the course of your professional experience, to observe that crime is not an inmate of the houses of the impoverished and the degraded only, but that it may be found in the mansions of the rich and the palaces of the nobility."
"Without a doubt, madam."
"Then you will be the less shocked when I inform you that the circumstances which have driven me to seek your aid occurred recently in Castle Cragg, in the family of Lord Vincent."
"It is not the murder that was lately committed there to which you allude?" gravely inquired the inspector.
"Oh, no, not that murder; but I greatly fear there has been another one," replied Claudia, with a shudder.
"Madam!" exclaimed the inspector, in astonishment.
"I fear it is as I have hinted, sir," persisted Claudia.