tery. Who were these people, I asked myself
again, who dared to play so bold and desperate a game? The
illegitimate daughter might, of course, impersonate Miss Holladay; but
who was the elder woman? Her mother? Then the liaison must have taken
place in France--her accent was not to be mistaken; but in France Mr.
Holladay had been always with his wife. Besides, the younger woman
spoke English perfectly. True, she had said only a few words--the
hoarseness might have been affected to conceal a difference in
voice--but how explain the elder woman's resemblance to Hiram
Holladay's daughter? Could they both be illegitimate? But that was
nonsense, for Mrs. Holladay had taken her into her life, had loved
her----

And Martigny? Who was he? What was his connection with these women?
That the crime had been carefully planned I could not doubt; and it
had been carried out with surprising skill. There had been no nervous
halting at the supreme moments, no hesitation nor drawing back;
instead, a coolness of execution almost fiendish, arguing a hardened
and practiced hand.

Doubtless it was Martigny who had arranged the plot, who had managed
its development. And with what boldness! He had not feared to be
present at the inquest; nor even to approach me and discuss the case
with me. I tried to recall the details of our talk, impatient that I
had paid so little heed to it. He had asked, I remembered, what would
happen to Frances Holladay if she were found guilty. He had been
anxious, then, to save her. He had--yes, I saw it now!--he had
written the note which did save her; he had run the risk of discovery
to get her free!

But why?

If I only had a clew; one thread to follow! One ray of light would be
enough! Then I could see my way out of this hopeless tangle; I should
know how to strike. But to stumble blindly onward in the dark--that
might do more harm than good.

Yes, and there was another thing for me to guard against. What was to
prevent him, the moment he stepped ashore, wiring to his confederates,
warning them, telling them to flee? Or he might wait, watching us,
until he saw that they were really in danger. In either event, they
must easily escape; Miss Kemball had been right when she pointed out
that our only hope was in catching them unprepared. If I could throw
him off, deceive him, convince him that there was no danger!

The impulse was too strong to be resisted. In a moment I was on my
feet--but, no--to surprise hi