“A woman, then?”
“Yes, and, moreover, I have traced the assassin.”
She looked up sharply into my face. Her handsome features presented a strange haggard appearance, and she toyed nervously with her rings.
“Why—what—what do you mean?” she gasped.
“Disguise is useless, Mrs. Elworthy,” I said sternly, as I rose to my feet. “I mean I can prove that you poisoned Ivan Liustig!”
She started from her chair and glared at me.
“You—you say this! You insult me, sir—in my own house—brand me a murderess! I’ll call the servants and have you shown out instantly,” she cried angrily, at the same time making a motion as if to ring the bell.
I stayed her hand.
“No, madame,” I said, “you will do nothing of the kind. Your daughter has probably not told you that I was present when she was arrested on suspicion. Since then your guilt has been proved, and it is useless to deny it. The bottle still containing a portion of the poison sold to you by Wagner, the chemist in the Nevski, is here,” I continued, taking it from my pocket and holding it before her eyes. “Besides, a Russian lad is now in London who actually saw you pour it into Ivan’s glass!”