Instantly the detective turned to Otto Schmidt.
"It will assist the inquiry if you tell us whether or not such a marriage, if it took place under the assumed conditions, that is, by use of a marriage license not intended for one of the parties, is legal," he said.
"I have no doubt whatever that, in the circumstances, the courts will find it to be illegal," was the answer.
"What circumstances?"
"That the lady quitted her supposed husband as soon as she discovered the fraud which had been practised on her."
Steingall weighed the point for a moment.
"I see," he nodded. "If she refused to remain with him, the marriage would be declared void. But if she elected to treat the marriage as a binding act, no matter how it was procured, and continued to live with her husband, that vital fact would affect the question of validity?"
"As you say, it would be a vital fact."
The detective was clearly impressed, but Lord Valletort swept aside these quibbles of jurisprudence.
"My daughter's actions will be revealed in detail to a judge," he said loftily. "At present I fail to see what bearing they have on the discussion, unless, indeed, you mean to arrest Curtis immediately on a charge which I am prepared to formulate."