"Your father? And who are you?"
"I am Diana Vrain."
Mrs. Clear gave a screech, and dropped back on to the sofa, staring at Diana with wide-open and terrified eyes.
"And now, Mrs. Clear, I see you realise the situation," Lucian said coldly. "You must confess your share in this conspiracy."
"What conspiracy?" she interrupted furiously.
"The putting of Mr. Vrain into an asylum, and the passing off of your husband, Michael Clear, as him."
"I don't know anything about it."
"Come, now, you talk nonsense! If you refuse to speak I'll have you arrested at once."
"Arrest me!" She bounded off the sofa with flashing eyes.
"Yes, on a charge of conspiracy. It is no use your getting angry, Mrs. Clear, for it won't improve your position. We—that is, this lady and myself—wish to know, firstly, how your husband came to be masquerading as Mr. Vrain; secondly, where we can find the man called Wrent, who employed your husband; and thirdly, Mrs. Clear, we wish to know, and the law wishes to know, who killed your husband."