"I was born at Simla," said Charity thoughtfully, "at least the ayah who sold me to the juggler's wife declared that I was. I don't remember anything about it, of course. Mother----"
"Oh, don't ask me, my dear. I can explain nothing. You know what I know, and it is strange that both you and Mavis should have been born in India. That fact, and the resemblance, certainly points to some relationship between you."
"They are sisters," declared Haskins firmly, "in no other way can the likeness be accounted for."
"And yet there is a difference," said Tod, for the second time. "It is in the tone of the voice, and in the look of the eyes."
"Quite so," said Charity swiftly. "My voice has been trained for the stage and Mavis' has not. I have been brought up in the world and Mavis out of it, which fully accounts for the innocence looking out from her eyes and the worldly wickedness in mine."
"My dear," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, displeased, "how you rattle on. But I rather agree with you, I must say. If Mavis had been brought up as you, and you as Mavis, you would simply have changed places. I hope that I make myself clear."
"As clear as the murky darkness of this twin mystery can be made clear until Major Rebb confesses. Meanwhile, and until we can force that man's hand, we had better arrange what has to be done." It was Gerald who spoke.
Mrs. Pelham Odin patted Mavis' hand, which she was holding in her own very fondly. "I lose one daughter to find another," she said cheerily. "Mavis can come back with me to my flat, and can wear some dresses which Charity has left behind. Then I'll teach her to dance, and in a couple of days she will be able to replace Charity at the Belver."
"You are quite willing?" Gerald asked Miss Bird anxiously.
"Of course I am," she answered quickly. "I am quite on your side."