"Pardon me. Osip dropped that when he searched me."
"He denies that. He said that you had the box, for which he was looking, and threw it away."
"Osip says that--and how comes it that you have seen Osip?"
"I saw him by appointment at the Shah's Rooms last night," said Clarice, boldly; "and there I also saw you and Mr. Barras."
"What of that?" said Jerce, coolly. "I have a right to go to any place I choose, I should hope. So you saw Osip, and you did not have him arrested for the murder of your guardian."
"You forget," said Anthony, swiftly, "you have just accused Ferdinand of that crime, Sir Daniel."
"And I do still. Ferdinand is Osip's accomplice. Both of them are concerned in the matter. And I am accused falsely. There is no one can prove that I am guilty in any way."
A knock came to the door, and Mrs. Rebson made her appearance. "Will you please to come out here, Miss?" she said, "there is a gentleman wants to see you."
Sir Daniel wriggled uneasily, and went a shade whiter. But he still maintained his defiant attitude; while Clarice, wondering who had come to visit her, and anticipating fresh trouble with a sinking heart, went into the hall, closing the drawing-room door after her. Here she found Mr. Clarke, looking more wild and wan than ever, and very much agitated. On seeing her, he came up at once, while Mrs. Rebson discreetly withdrew to her own room.
"Is it true that Sir Daniel Jerce is here?" asked Clarke, abruptly.