"Nonsense! I never thought of it at the time, but now I know that the singing proceeded from a phonograph."
"Phonograph!" cried both men, much astonished.
"Yes. Julia had an idea of getting records of her songs. She sings very well, you know, Calvert. She has had a phonograph for a long time, and amuses the child with it. That song, 'Kathleen Mavourneen,' is a favourite with my wife, and I wondered afterwards how it came to be sung, seeing she was at Westcliff-on-Sea. Then, when a description was given of the kind of voice, I knew it was the phonograph."
"Why didn't you say so at the inquest?" asked the American sharply.
"Because it never struck me till later. But that's enough about the matter. I'm weary of the murder. Let us talk of other things."
"I am afraid we cannot," said Arnold, holding up the book! "Do you know what this is, Fane?"
"No," said the other, staring; "what is it?"
"The diary of Mrs. Brand."
"How strange," said Fane, but his voice sounded nervously uncertain; "where did you find it?"
"It was concealed," said Tracey, with emphasis; "the man who removed all evidence of Mrs. Brand's past life could not find it. And by means of that diary, Mr. Fane, we are enabled to prove a lot."