"Dinah," asked Beatrice hurriedly, "have you been listening long?"
"No. All I heard was that Jerry wanted his salary raised. What has he been talking about?" and she eyed the two suspiciously.
"Are you jealous of Beatrice?" demanded Mr. Snow scornfully.
"What nonsense, when you know she is going to marry Vivian! And I really don't think I'll marry you. Take back your ring, and----"
Beatrice waited to hear no more. Leaving Dinah pouring out her voluble wrath on the devoted head of her lover, she ran up the avenue, wondering what further revelations she would hear. This was a day of wonders. She had learned that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall; she had heard her dead mother accused of murder by Mrs. Snow; and now she discovered that Alpenny--as was probably the case--had been connected with a gang of rogues. What would be the end of all these terrible things? She could not tell, and ran on, anxious to reach her own room in order to think matters over.
She quite forgot that Jerry had told her Durban was waiting to see her. But the old servant was on the watch. Hardly had she set foot on the terrace when he issued from the house; and came towards her with a smile. It died away, however, when he saw her pale face.
"Whatever is the matter, missy?" he asked anxiously, Beatrice looked at him calmly, and wasted no time in explaining herself. "I have learned at last what you would not tell me."
"Missy!" cried Durban, and his swarthy face grew green, as it always did when he was startled.
"I am the daughter of Colonel Hall, who was murdered here. My mother was really Mrs. Hall, who called herself Mrs. Hedge and married Alpenny!"
Durban gasped. "Who told you this?"