"You will not find it so," said Ronald.
"It is my duty to inform you," said the detective, stolidly, "that whatever you say will be used in evidence at your trial."
"Bah!" snarled Vassalla, with a gesture of contempt, turning his back on the officer of the law. "Who accuses me of this crime?"
"I do," said Mrs. Verschoyle, stepping forward.
"You!" he cried out, recoiling; "you are mad to do such a thing."
"No, I am not mad," retorted Mrs. Verschoyle, "but I would have been if I had let you marry Carmela."
"Oh!" he said, viciously, looking at Ronald; "so this is a plot to rob me of my promised wife."
"She is not your promised wife," cried Ronald, boldly; "she made the promise under compulsion--now she is free."
"To marry you," said Vassalla, savagely.
"If she'll have me--yes," retorted Monteith.