"This is all very well," said Ronald, quietly; "but all your views are quite theoretical, and we cannot obtain a single particle of evidence to prove that she came on board at all."
"How do you know we cannot?"
"Well, there's Roper's letter--her own letter and Vassalla's denial. Who else can prove she was on board?"
"Miss Cotoner."
"Oh!" Ronald arose and went to the window. "I don't think so," he said, turning round. "If Mrs. Verschoyle quarrelled with her sister, it's not likely she'd go near her."
"Perhaps not, but Miss Cotoner might have seen her. You'd better go and ask her."
Ronald hesitated a moment, then made up his mind,
"Very well; I'll call at the Langham this afternoon, and may possibly see her; but I think it's a wild goose chase."
"We'll see," said Foster, shortly, returning to his books, while Ronald went off to his hotel, took a light luncheon, then dressing himself carefully, ordered a hansom, and drove to the Langham.
Carmela was in, so Ronald sent up his card to her, and asked for the favour of an interview. This, however, Carmela hesitated before granting, as she was very angry with Ronald's supposed treachery towards herself. Had she not seen her rival with her own eyes, and been told of Monteith's infatuation for that detestable woman, as she called innocent Mrs. Taunton? And now he had the bad taste to ask for an interview--well, she would grant his request, and would show him that she was not a woman to be lightly won and thrown over.