"Yes, I am," answered the woman, in a quick, sharp voice. "Are you the L. D. who advertised for me?"
"Yes. Come upstairs. I have much to say to you."
"Diana," said Lucian, on entering the room with his prize, "let me introduce you to Mrs. Clear."
"Mrs. Clear! Are you the wife of the man who was murdered in the house opposite?"
Mrs. Clear uttered a cry of astonishment, and turned as if to retreat. But Denzil was between her and the door, so she saw that there was nothing for it but to outface the situation. As though she found it difficult to breathe, she threw up her veil, and Diana beheld a thin white face with two brilliant black eyes.
"This is a trap," said Mrs. Clear, hoarsely, looking from the one to the other. "Who are you?"
"I," said Lucian, politely, "I am the man who met your husband before——"
"My husband! I have my husband in an asylum. You can't have met him!"
"You are telling a falsehood," said Diana fiercely. "The gentleman in the asylum of Dr. Jorce is not your husband, but my father!"