"Certainly not; she would not have dared to do so to me, under pain of instant dismissal. But you surely don't suspect her."
"No," confessed Torry dismally, "I do not. It was a man's arm which dealt the fatal blow. But what was your maid doing in Mortality-lane?"
"Are you sure it was Julia?"
"Certain! We found her dead near the Needle on the Embankment, and the lace of her mantle was torn. A portion of it was in the death-grip of her former master. Oh, it is the same woman without a doubt."
"How was she dressed?" said Maria with feminine curiosity.
"In that hat, a fawn-coloured mantle trimmed with black lace--why--why! what is the matter?"
"A fawn-coloured mantle," stammered Maria, who had half risen from her chair, and was staring at Torry with horrified eyes--"with lace, and--and black braid?"
"Yes, yes; do you know it?"
"I do--I do! Mother of Sorrows have pity on me!" She crossed herself rapidly, and walking to the window, looked out, quivering with emotion. The two men stared at one another; then Torry walked forward and touched the girl's arm. She shrank away with a cry.
"What do you know of that mantle?" he asked softly.