"She told me that my father had murdered Mr. Horran, and that if I did not refuse to marry Ferdy, she would tell the police."

Clarice laughed derisively. "And you believed this story--a story which such a brazen girl had every inducement to tell."

"Not at first, but afterwards I found proof."

"Against your father? I can never believe that," said Miss Baird, very decidedly. "What proof--no, tell me first, on what grounds this Dumps woman based her accusation."

"She said that she was stopping at the Savoy Hotel, with her mother, for a rest."

"Quite right. I know she was. Mrs. Rebson told me. Go on."

"Mrs. Dumps on that night----"

"What night?"

"The night when Mr. Horran was killed."

"He was murdered between one and two in the morning."