"His stolen daughter?" echoed Audrey.
"Yes. His wife died in child-birth some twenty years ago, and the child was stolen by an hospital nurse who attended her. There was some grudge, I believe. But why should I bother you with the troubles of other people when you have so many of your own?" said Miss Toat, in a lively way. "Come, time is short. What do you wish me to tell you?"
"What is your opinion of the case as it now stands?" asked Audrey, abruptly.
"It's a difficult and mysterious case," said the detective, slowly, "and it is my opinion that Madame Coralie can tell the truth."
"Do you think that she is guilty?"
"No. That is, if she is guilty, it is because she employed someone else to murder your mother. I don't believe she strangled Lady Branwin herself."
"Why not?"
"Because Madame Coralie proved an alibi."
"Ah!" Audrey nodded. "Then Mr. Shawe did not tell you about my idea as to the clock in the still-room being wrong?"
Miss Toat looked at her quickly. "No. What is your idea?"