"About what?"
"About the murder," screamed Miss Pewsey, "it was Clarence who killed my Sophia--yes--you may look and look Olivia--but it was Clarence himself. He took the tie from the coat-pocket. I told him, you had given it to him, and--"
"But he gave it to Dr. Forge."
"He did not. Clarence took Sophia out on to the steps--at least he appointed to meet her there, to tell her about the fan. Then he strangled her, thinking your husband would be accused. Theophilus came on Clarence when he was picking up the fan. Sophia held it in her death grip, and it was some time before he could get it loose. Theophilus came, and hearing steps, Clarence ran away down to the beach. Then he returned to the ball-room by the front of the hotel."
"But the fan?"
"Theophilus Forge has it," said Miss Pewsey, setting her face, "and I expect he has taken it with him."
"Why didn't you tell this at the inquest."
"Because I didn't. Clarence is my own sister's son. I could not see him hanged. He had to hold his tongue, although he wanted the fan back again. But I insisted that Theophilus should make the money out of it. This is Clarence's revenge. Because the fan is kept from him he threatens Theophilus; oh Olivia, do ask your husband to leave the matter alone, I will give up that mortgage--"
"I can do nothing," said Olivia, "it isn't in my husband's power. He has written to Rodgers--"
"But he has not told him anything," said Miss Pewsey eagerly.