Arnold seemed confused. "I saw in the paper that the White Room had been remarked by a man called Webb, who had communicated with the police. It was then found by Inspector Derrick that Mrs. Brand had been missing. I fancied that she might be the unknown woman. I was informed that this was the truth by Merry, who has communicated with the police. I did not see the body or I would have been able to identify it. But Derrick found a portrait of my cousin, and says it is that of the dead woman."
This was rather a roundabout explanation, and Bocaros curled his lip. In spite of his denial he seemed to suspect Arnold. But that Jasher touched his arm he would have asked a question. As it was he allowed the agent to speak. "You knew that your cousin had such a room?" asked Jasher.
"Yes. Certainly I knew."
"Then you have sometimes visited her?"
"I have. My cousin and I were good friends. I did not see much of her certainly, but I have been in her house."
"Did you know that Mr. Fane had a similar white room?"
"Yes. He told me it was his own idea. I said that some one else had been beforehand. That I had a cousin who had such a room."
"Did you mention your cousin's name?"
"Not at the time. Flora said that the White Room was her own idea, and Fane insisted that the idea was original, emanating from his brain. I thought it was a coincidence."
"There appear to be a great many coincidences about this case in connection with you," murmured Bocaros, but of this remark Calvert for his own reasons took no notice.