"But, my dear Tait," said Claude quietly, "Mrs. Hilliston is an American."
"Ah! Louisa Sinclair went to America, and probably became a naturalized subject of the Stars and Stripes."
"But," objected Larcher, "she was a widow when she married Hilliston."
"So I believe. A Mrs. Derrick. No doubt she came by all her money through that first marriage. Oh, I can put the puzzle easily together. No wonder Hilliston wanted the case dropped, both on his own account and on that of his wife."
"What do you mean, Tait? Do you suspect that——"
"Say no more," said Tait, rising, "I will tell you what I mean after you have seen Paynton. But then," added he significantly, "I don't think you will need any explanation."
CHAPTER XXXVI.
A STRANGE THING HAPPENS.