“Yes, my dear, very evident. If I had, I should not be here.”

“Unless you thought it better for the sake of throwing people off the scent,” said Katrine, with a peculiar look in his face.

“I say,” he cried, returning the gaze, “what do you mean? You don’t think I killed those two fellows, and got the plunder, do you?”

“I don’t know,” she replied.

“Well, then, I didn’t. I never had the chance.”

“Or the brains to conceive such a coup.”

“Look here,” cried Artis.

“Don’t speak so loud, Gerard.”

“Oh, very well. But look here, Madam Clever, did you manage that bit of business?”

Katrine raised her soft, white hands.