"No. That is not true. I would not have let Maud out of my sight to pay such a visit, and at so late an hour. She certainly told me that Sir Simon was to meet Captain Kyles at the 'Marsh Inn,' and then bribe him to give her up. She wanted to go to Desleigh and implore her father not to act in this way. I said that she was not to go, but she slipped out of the house and went. I could do nothing save watch for her return and admit her secretly, lest the servants should come to know of her mad visit."
"What did she tell you when she returned?" asked Herries, curiously.
"That she had stopped all night with Mrs. Armour."
"She did not inform you that she had been inside the 'Marsh Inn?'"
"No." Mrs. Mountford closed her eyes in horror, "Impossible!"
"It is true. Maud went there to see her father."
"Mr. Herries," Mrs. Mountford rose and grasped the young man's arm, "I cannot believe that Maud has anything to do with this crime."
"Why should you believe it?" said Herries, astonished at the emotion displayed in her usually solemn face.
"Tell me what you know, and I'll explain."
Herries hesitated, but reflecting that Mrs. Mountford could do no harm, and that it was better to have her for a friend than an enemy at this juncture, he told all that had taken place at the inn, as he had heard it from Maud herself. At the conclusion Mrs. Mountford drew a long breath of relief.