shuddering, "I have heard quite
enough of my poor father's terrible death," and she swept out of the
drawing-room with a gracious smile.

"The poor child is so sensitive," sighed Mrs. Krill, taking a seat with
her back to the window. Whether this was done to conceal her age, or the
expression of her face during a conversation which could not fail to
prove trying, Hurd was unable to determine. "I trust, Mr. Hurd, you have
come with good news," said the widow.

"What would you call good news?" asked the detective, dryly.

"That you had traced the assassin," she replied coolly.

Hurd was amazed at this brazen assurance, and thought that Mrs. Krill
must be quite convinced that she had covered up every trail likely to
lead to the discovery of her connection with the murder.

"I'll leave you to judge whether I have been successful," he said
calmly.

"I shall be pleased to hear," was the equally calm reply. But as Mrs.
Krill spoke she glanced towards a gorgeous tapestry curtain at the end
of the room, and Hurd fancied he saw it shake. It suddenly occurred to
him that Maud was behind. Why she should choose this secret way of
listening when she could have remained it was difficult to say, and he
half thought he was mistaken. However, listening openly or secretly, did
not matter so far as the daughter was concerned, so Hurd addressed
himself to Mrs. Krill in a loud and cheerful voice. She composed herself
to listen with a bland smile, and apparently was quite ignorant that
there was anything wrong.

"I was lately down at Christchurch, madam--"

"So my servant, Matilda Junk, said."

"It was necessary that I should go there to search out your husband's
past life. In that past I fancied, might be found the motive for the
commission of the crime."

"I could have saved you the journey," said Mrs. Krill, shrugging her
plump shoulders. "I can tell you what you wish to know."

"In that case I will relate all that I have learned, and perhaps you
will correct me if I am wrong."

Mrs. Krill bowed but did not commit herself to speech. For the sake of
effect the detective took out a sheaf of notes, but in reality he had
the various points of the case at his finger tips. "You will excuse me
if I talk on very private matters," he said, apologetically, "but as we
are alone," again Mrs. Krill glanced at the curtain and thereby
confirmed Hurd's suspicions of an unseen listener, "you will not mind my
being, perhaps, personal."

"Pe