“I have a strong suspicion that it was by her plotting you were sent to New Caledonia,” continued Egerton. “Depend upon it, sooner or later, we shall discover that ‘La Belle Hirondelle’ has had a hand in it.”
“What causes you to think so?” his companion asked, in amazement.
“It was to her interest that you should be imprisoned. When you were safely out of the way, with a long sentence before you, her course was quite clear.”
“How?”
“Simply this: A man who died at a hotel in Antwerp was identified as yourself, a death certificate was obtained in your name, and—”
“And what then?” cried Hugh, astonished.
“Your will was proved.”
“My will?”
“Yes; you left everything unreservedly to your wife, and consequently she has obtained possession of it.”
“How did you know?” asked the other, dumbfounded.