"What do you mean?" cried Darrel, indignant that the slightest slur should be cast on the character of the woman he worshipped.
"Oh! you needn't get so angry," said Torry with a shrug. "I am convinced there is no love affair between them. I'm not so sure in your case."
"Never mind me," said the novelist, blushing; "go on with your explanation."
"It is very simple. Donna Maria and Vass have an understanding relative to this murder."
"You don't believe they know the assassin?" cried Darrel, aghast.
"I haven't got so far as that; but, they know something of the Blue Mummy Society, for the sight of the tomb-image had the same effect--even a worse one--on them as it had on Blake. And the society according to Blake, is responsible for the Grent and Brawn murders."
"By the hand of Manuel," said Frank, "and you deny his guilt?"
"Yes, I do," retorted the detective energetically. "But we argued that point before. Let it pass. To return to Vass and Donna Maria: it is strange that they should have met in the West End on the very day, so to speak of the murder."
"Accident!"
"Bah! I don't believe in these sort of accidents. Well, I have failed to extort the truth from the lady; perhaps the gentleman may be more amenable to reason. I shall see Vass to-morrow."