"There were no other daggers taken from the house I suppose?" asked Norwood.
"Not that I know of," replied the detective, "but I am convinced that the whole secret of this crime lies in the conversation between Mr. Desmond and Lady Balscombe."
"You do not say my wife is guilty of this murder?" said Sir Rupert angrily.
"I say nothing," replied Dowker evasively, "till I see Lady Balscombe."
When the trio arrived at Brighton it was growing late, so they went to the "Ship" Hotel and had something to eat. Finding out from the waiter that the Seamew was lying a short distance from the pier they went down, and hiring a boat rowed to the yacht. When they climbed up on to the deck they were accosted by one of the officers, who wanted to know their business.
"We want to see Lord Calliston," said Balscombe quietly.
"I'm afraid that's impossible," replied the officer, "as he went up to town to-day on business."
"Is there not a lady on board?" asked Norwood.
"Yes--you mean----"
"Never mind telling us her name," said Balscombe shortly, feeling a horror at hearing his wife's name mentioned. "Can we see her?"