“By a friend.”
“Or was it an enemy?” he suggested. Her statement did not coincide with the fact that she had written to him postponing their meeting.
“I do not know,” she replied. “When we parted it was long past the hour we had arranged, so I returned home.”
“Nelly must at that moment have been lying dead,” he observed. “Have you any idea what took her to that spot of all others?”
“None whatever,” Liane replied. “Except that, unaware of our appointment, she met someone there.”
“You think she met there the person who afterwards shot her?”
“That is my belief.”
“Then if you know nothing further regarding the mysterious affair why should it prevent our marriage?” he asked, regarding her intently.
“It is not only that,” she replied quickly, “but there is a further reason.”
“What is it? Surely I may know,” he urged. “You will not send me away in doubt and ignorance, when you know I love you so well.”