"Ah," said Isabella, clasping her hands, "I am sure that it was that terrible man who made David kill Maurice. Oh, if I had only met Maurice on that night, I might have prevented the quarrel."
"Did you not meet Maurice, my dear?"
"Of course not," replied Isabella, in the most truthful manner. "I did not leave the house, and Dido was with me all the time. I expect Maurice was waiting for me, and that David saw him. No doubt they quarreled, and then the death took place."
From this speech it was quite evident that the girl was absolutely ignorant of the part which she had played in the affair. Still, to make certain, Jen asked why she had not kept the appointment.
"I had a nervous headache," she said, quickly, "and Dido hypnotized me. When I woke up it was too late to see Maurice."
This remark put the matter beyond all doubt. The girl, by her own admission, had been hypnotized by the negress, and, while in the trance state, with her will at the mercy of the other woman, she had killed her lover. Morally speaking, it was Dido, in the person of Isabella, who was the assassin. However, the major had learned all that he wished to know, and not wishing to pursue the subject, turned the conversation by explaining that Etwald was coming in a few minutes. Mrs. Dallas rose up in a cold fury.
"Did you ask me here to insult me, major?"
"I asked you here at the particular request of Dr. Etwald."
"Why? What can he have to say to my mother?" cried Isabella, in surprise.
"Miss Dallas, I know no more than you do; but he evidently desires to make a clean breast of this whole miserable business."