"Donna Inez?" said Torry, thrown off his guard by the announcement.

The lady bowed. "I look for you at the police-yard," she said quickly, "but you not there; they tell me you here, so I come. Have you in your hands that assassin?"

"No, ma'am, not yet. I regret to say that we cannot find him."

"Why you say him?" demanded Donna Inez abruptly.

"Why!" echoed Mr. Torry in astonishment, "because I believe the assassin to be a man."

"It is wrong, sir. A woman killed my husband."

"A woman?"

"Yes, one known. Miss Lydia Hargone! Ah! the base wretch!"

"You are not serious, Mrs. Grent?" cried the detective, much amazed.

"By our Saints, I talk true!" retorted the Spanish woman, her eyes flashing brilliantly.