"You hope not--why?"
"Because I am anxious to marry Carmela, and I do not want to have a murderess for a sister-in-law."
"Whether it's made private or public, you are bound to have that," replied Foster, dryly; "my advice is not to marry her."
"But I love her, madly," said Ronald, raising his heavy eyes to his friend's face, "it would kill me to lose her."
"Men have died and worms have eaten them, but love did not kill them," said the barrister, cynically; "you'll get over this fancy in time--but come, tell me all about it."
So Ronald related his interview with Carmela, to which Foster listened attentively.
"I wonder what Vassalla will say to that?" he said, when the Australian had finished; "you see, Mrs. Verschoyle was on board after all."
"That does not prove her guilty of the murder," retorted Ronald.
"Then why does she try to prove an alibi?quot; said Foster, quickly. "Why, everything we find out only makes the case stronger against her. I should like to have an interview with her."
"That will be easily managed: she is coming to England."