"I don't know."
She clasped her hands over her knees, and looked fixedly at him.
"You don't know for certain," she said, slowly; "but you have your suspicions, and I want to know everything; tell me all."
Whereupon Ronald told her what had happened, and how the links were being slowly added to the chain of evidence that seemed to connect her sister with the crime. When he was done she was pale, but composed.
"It is very strange," she said, in her clear voice, "and I do not know what to say. I do not like my sister; she is a woman of violent temper, but I am certain she would not commit a crime."
"Then why does she deny being on board the night the crime was committed?"
"I cannot say, because she certainly was. I must write and ask her. I will also speak to Vassalla; there is something mysterious about this affair; but my sister must clear herself; it is too horrible that she should be suspected of such a crime; and this," with a sudden thought, "is why you are always with Mrs. Taunton?"
"Yes; she is quite distracted over her brother's death."
"Vassalla said you loved her."
Ronald sprang to his feet with a cry of anger.