"That night after the murder the plan was formed by which this woman was to personate the other. The striking similarity in the hair, which was the most conspicuous beauty of each, suggested the plot.
"Perhaps Jones had thought of such a thing long before. That may have led him to keep his real wife practically unknown in this city, while he was frequently seen with this woman.
"As to the dresses, this woman, who is a very clever dressmaker, as I am told, doubtless had time to copy the other's costume in the night and the day following the crime.
"She did most of the work in Albany, where she went as soon as possible. Then wearing the duplicate dress, she went to her friends in Maysville, and afterward came here.
"Is it all plain now?"
"It is clear as a bell, Mr. Carter," said the superintendent.
"Wait a moment!"
It was the woman's voice. She spoke calmly, and looked straight into Nick's face.
"You have made one grave error," she said. "It was not John who killed that woman; it was I.
"She tried to shoot him, and I wrenched the pistol from her hand. I shot her dead.