"The next thing to be done," said Foster to Ronald and Roper as they sat in his room, "is to obtain evidence as to Mrs. Verschoyle's movements on that night. Now, my impression is that she came on board to see her sister off to England, and while there, saw her husband, heard him tell you the number of his cabin--followed him, and after committing the crime, mixed in the crowd, and returned on shore undetected."
"A very feasible theory," retorted Ronald, in a vexed tone; "but you forget--you have yet to prove that Miss Cotoner is Mrs. Verschoyle's sister.
"That can be at once settled by asking Miss Cotoner."
Ronald moved uneasily in his seat.
"I suppose it must come to that," he replied; "but before asking her, I think it best that Roper should go to Malta, and find out all about Mrs. Verschoyle."
"I can go to-morrow," said Roper, promptly, "and as soon as I find out what you want to know, I'll write at once."
So it was settled. Julian Roper went out to Malta the next day, and there was nothing left for Monteith to do but to wait and see what evidence could be found against Mrs. Verschoyle. He felt very miserable over the whole affair, and particularly as it seemed probable that Carmela would be mixed up in it, and then--well, he did not like to dwell on the thought of such a possibility.
And Carmela?
She, on her part, was quite as unhappy as her lover, because she could not understand his changed attitude towards herself. Formerly he had been assiduous in his attendance on her, but now he rarely came near her, and was always making excuses regarding his absence, excuses which she plainly saw were feigned and forced. She was too proud, however, to complain, and went about as usual with Sir Mark and his daughter--frequented balls, theatres, garden parties, picture galleries, and all the sights of London, never once showing how deeply she felt Ronald's desertion.
Cold, stately, and self-possessed as of old, a keen eye might yet have noticed the dark circles under her eyes, and the increasing pallor of her face. Bell noticed it, and told her father, who, becoming alarmed, wanted to take Carmela down to Marlow at once.