"And so I believe. Come now, Mrs. Snow, you must tell me what you know of this matter?"
"I know nothing."
"Perhaps Miss Duncan may be able to tell me?"
"Ah!"--the vicar's wife laughed carelessly--"you know my maiden name, and perhaps my occupation before I married my husband?"
"I heard that you were a governess."
"Who said so?"
"Durban."
"In that case, since he has been so frank, I wonder that he did not tell you how Mrs. Hall--your mother--killed the Colonel."
Beatrice started to her feet. "You dare to say that?"
"Yes, I do," cried Mrs. Snow venomously. "She killed your father to gain possession of a diamond necklace, and married Alpenny because he could have accused her of the murder."