am very much surprised. I went to see you yesterday----"

"And found that I was out of town. So I was, so I am supposed to be, but
the telegram of the Princess here told me that she expected you this
evening, so I left my country business and came up."

"You see," said the Princess, sitting down again amongst her cushions,
"you see, Mr. Ware, I told you we had a mutual friend. Now you know how
I am so well acquainted with the case," and she laughed.

"The Princess," explained Steel, seeing Giles' astonishment, "read all
about the case. Being a friend of Miss Denham's and seeing that I had
charge of the matter, she sent for me. We have talked over the case, and
I have received much assistance from Miss--I mean from this very clever
lady, the Princess Karacsay," and Steel bowed.

"But," stammered Ware, still puzzled, "you believe Miss Denham to be
guilty. Surely the Princess will not----"

"No, no!" came from the divan in the deep-toned voice of the woman.
"Anne is my friend. I would not help him to arrest her."

"The fact is," said Steel easily, "I have changed my opinion, Mr. Ware,
and I think Miss Denham is innocent. The man who killed Miss Kent is
called Wilson."

"Wilson. And who is Wilson, and why did he kill her?"

"I don't know who Wilson is," replied Steel. "I am trying to find out. I
am not quite certain why he killed her, but I am beginning to suspect
that it was on account of this inherited money. I told you that,
Princess," he added, turning to the divan.

"Yes, Mr. Steel. And I said then, I say now, I do not agree."

"If you would be more explicit," said Ware, feeling helpless.

Steel took no notice of him for the moment. "Then if it's not the money
I don't know what the motive can be." He turned to Ware. "See here, sir.
This Wilson, whomsoever he may be, lived with the mother of Asher's
office-boy--he was her lodger. The boy told him about the money coming
to Miss Kent. Afterwards the lad had a summons given him to serve on
Morley. Wilson offered to take it, and did so. He removed his effects
from Mrs. Benker's house--she's the mother of the lad--and went down to
Rickwell. You know what happened there. Now if he didn't kill Miss Kent
on account of the money, why did he ask the office-boy about the
matter?"

Giles shook his head. "I can't say," he said, "no more than I can
explain why Miss Denham helped him to escape."

"Well,"--Steel scratched his chin--"I have an idea about that. But you
mu