"Quite so. But you might as well say I killed the one as the other. Pardon me, I will say no more. I have been to the place where the poor man was murdered, and I have made discoveries. Ah, you English, you have no eyes! Dozens of people have been round this morning, but they have seen nothing. I have seen much."
"What have you seen--what have you discovered?" asked Brenda, anxiously.
Van Zwieten clicked his heels together in foreign fashion, and bowed. "Miss Scarse, I am a wise man," he said, smiling; "wise men never talk. But if you will be wise also, and give me the right to tell you what I know, why then----"
"How can I give you the right?"
"By accepting me as your future husband."
"No, a thousand times, no. I am engaged to Captain Burton."
"Ah, Captain Burton! I quite forgot that young gentleman. I have something to say to him. He is, no doubt, still at his hotel. I will call."
"If your object is to make him give me up, you may save yourself the trouble of calling," said Brenda, quietly. "We are engaged, and nothing you can say or do can break our engagement.
"Ah! I think otherwise."
"Mr. van Zwieten, will you understand once and for all that I refuse to have anything to do with you. I refuse to marry you."