"I want to know a great many things," said Fanks, emulating her coolness; "but the question is whether you will consent to answer all my questions?"
"You can judge for yourself. Ask me what question you will, and I shall answer to the best of my ability. But," added she, pointedly, "before you begin, let me ask you one question. Do you suspect that I have anything to do with the murder of Sir Gregory?"
"I can't answer that until you have replied to my questions, Miss Colmer; but, judging from your readiness to afford me information, I fancy that you do know something of the matter."
"You are right, I do know something of the matter; but I cannot promise to tell you who killed Sir Gregory. I know that he was murdered--no more; and even that information I gained from the newspapers."
Fanks made no reply to this remark; whereupon Miss Colmer continued: "Why do you think that I know anything about the crime? I never met Sir Gregory."
"Why did you come to the rooms of Sir Gregory?" replied Fanks. "I connect you with the murder because of that visit."
"If you know the story of my poor sister, you know why I came to Half-Moon Street," said Anne, coldly. "It was to ask the servant, Robert, for a portrait of Emma, that had been taken from her by Sir Gregory."
"I have seen that photograph, Miss Colmer. Did you want it back for the picture, or because it had some writing on the back?"
"What writing do you mean?" asked the girl, sharply.
Fanks produced the celebrated envelope from his pocket. "That is the writing," he said; "whosoever wrote that, also wrote on the back of the photograph of your sister. Perhaps you can tell me who is the scribe."