"Who told you that?"
"No one; but Mr. Ellersby met you coming up shortly after two o'clock."
"Yes, I did meet him there."
"Why did you not go straight home?"
Desmond seemed to be trying to think of something--at last with an effort he said:
"I was afraid my friend might get lost in the fog, and followed her down St. James' Street, then I lost sight of her, and after a time came up St. James' Street, where I met Ellersby. I did not see my friend again, so I came home."
"You did not see your friend after she left Lord Calliston's chambers?"
"No, I did not!" said Desmond, with a sudden flush.
"That's a lie," thought Dowker, eyeing him sharply, then he said out aloud:
"You have answered all my questions except the most important ones."