"Thank you, Mrs. Belswin," replied Maxwell, in a tone of relief. "I think that will be the best way, as I am anxious to avoid the interference of the police."
"And why, sir," demanded Mrs. Belswin, with a piercing glance.
The young man made no reply, but looked confused, upon which the woman laughed bitterly.
"Ah, I see," she said with scorn; "you think that I, a stranger to the late Sir Rupert, am implicated in his death."
"I have not said so, madam," murmured the young man, hastily.
"I swear before God," cried Mrs. Belswin, rising from her seat and raising her right hand--"I swear before God that I know nothing of the death of this man."
"But Ferrari----"
"I believe Ferrari to be innocent. Appearances are against him, it is true, but that does not render him guilty. Listen, Mr. Maxwell. Stephano Ferrari is a friend of mine, for I met him in America. Before I came to England I was an opera-singer, and he was singing with me in the same company. We are engaged to be married."
"You?"
"Yes. I wanted to rest my voice, and as I had but little money I became companion to Miss Pethram. You know whether I have been a good friend to her or not."