"Much obliged," retorted the young lady, with a bow, not in the least offended, for Pat was a licensed Jester; "but I'll not consent to be one of many."
"Ye'd rayther have one honest heart?" asked Pat, looking keenly at her.
She turned his remark off with a laugh.
"Depends upon the owner of the heart," she replied, gaily.
"Ah begad thin I'm out of it," said Pat, and ran off, leaving them in exactly the same awkward situation as he found them.
"What are you going to do when you reach London?" asked Carmela after a pause, during which Ronald kept his eyes on her face.
"Many things," he answered, calmly; "first I am going to set to work to find out who killed my friend Ventin."
"I'm sure I hope you will be successful," she replied, heartily; "but why in London--the crime was committed at Malta?"
"Yes, but the motive for the crime will, I think, be found in London."
"They say a woman killed him."