"So you knew of the murder when I paid my first visit?"
"Yes; and when you inquired after Arthur, I fancied you had discovered his pawning of the necklace, and that you intended to accuse him of the crime. Naturally, I was anxious to save him."
"That was why you fainted," said Gebb, suddenly enlightened.
"It was. In a moment I saw Arthur's danger, as I knew well he would not say that I gave him the necklace; so the thought made me faint. When I learned later that you knew nothing, I held my tongue."
"You did, and to some purpose. I congratulate you on your power of acting, Miss Wedderburn. You deceived me completely."
"What else was I to do?" said Edith, resentfully. "You would not have had me betray myself or Arthur? How did you find out that the necklace was pawned?"
"That I shall explain later," replied Gebb, annoyed by her attitude. "And, in my turn, may I ask why you killed Miss Gilmar?"
Edith stared at him in surprise, and laughed. "You are making a mistake!" she said with haughty coolness. "I did not kill Ellen Gilmar."
"But you were with her on that night?"
"So I was; but I left her at nine o'clock, and then she was alive and well. Why should I kill her?"