“Blaekey, miss,” sobbed Jenny, in tears.

“But you said only yesterday that you were Sarah Gissing?” cried Violet.

“Y-yus, miss, an’ it wasn’t true.”

“So you have never seen my sister?”

“No, miss.”

“Why did you lie to me so shamelessly?”

“Please, miss, I was pide for it.”

“Paid! By Mr. Van Hupfeldt?”

“There is some mistake,” broke in Miss L’Estrange, who was a trifle awed by Violet’s quiet dignity. “It was a Mr. Strauss who came here and asked permission for Jenny to have the day free yesterday in order to give some evidence he required.”