"Really!" cried Lydia, much astonished, "How do you know?"
"It is too long to explain the theory upon which my belief is founded," said Frank; "but I am sure that the man who killed Grent also assassinated Julia Brawn."
"Julia Brawn!" said Blake, starting up; "why, that is the name of Donna Maria's maid!"
"So it is; the maid who left to get married a fortnight ago," said Lydia.
"And the maid who was murdered a week since," remarked Frank, much amused at the astonishment of the pair.
"Well!" cried Blake, slapping his thigh, "If that doesn't beat Bannagher; and Bannagher beats the devil! Two people from the one house! Begad, Darrel, I'd like to help you myself! It's fine work, man-hunting."
"You'll have to ask Mr. Torry's permission first Blake."
"Torry--who is he?"
"The detective in charge of the case," said Frank. "At present he is with Donna Maria, examining the servants. Ah! here he comes."
At this remark quite in the style of the old transpontine drama, the door opened and Donna Maria, followed by Torry, entered the room. Darrel explained to the lady that he had discovered an old schoolfellow in Mr. Roderick Blake, and presented the detective to his friend and to Miss Hargone. This accomplished, he asked Torry if he had been successful.