I went that night, or early in the morning, to Harrington
Gardens, I would find her there, and I might question her. Imagine my
state of mind after what he had revealed to me. I promised I would come
there in secret, and I went home, my mind full of the lies and suspicion
which he had, I now see, so cleverly suggested. I didn't then know him to
be an assassin, but, mistrusting him as I did, I took for my own
protection the old knife from the table in the drawing-room, and
concealed it inside my blouse. At one o'clock next morning I crept out of
the house noiselessly, and walked to Harrington Gardens, where I opened
the outer door with the latch-key he had given me. On ascending to his
flat I heard voices--I heard your voice, dear--therefore I descended into
the dark and waited--waited until you came down the stairs and left. I
saw you, and I was mad--mad! Then I went up, and he admitted me. The trap
was already laid for me. I crossed that threshold to my doom!"

"How?" I asked in my despair. "Tell me all, Phrida,--everything!"

But at this point the Peruvian, Senos, interrupted, saying:

"Let me speak, sare. I tell you," he cried quickly.

"When I speak to the lady in Pall Mall I follow her. She go that
afternoon to Harrington Gardens, but there see Mrs. Petre, whom she
already know. Mrs. Petre find her excited, and after questioning her,
induce her to tell her what I say--that Cane he kill my master. Then Mrs.
Petre say, Sir Digby away in the country--not return to London--at
Paddington--till one o'clock in the morning. I listen to it all, for
Senos friend of the hall-porter--eh? So young laidee she says she come
late in the night--half-past one or two o'clock--and ask himself the
truth. But Cane in his room all the time, of course."

"Well, Phrida?" I asked quickly. "Tell us what happened on that night
when you entered."

"Yes," cried Cane sarcastically, "Lie to them--they'll believe you, of
course!"

"When I entered that man took me into the sitting-room, and I sat down.
Naturally I was very upset. Mrs. Petre, whom I had met before, was there,
and after he had told me many things about your relations with the
daughter of a hair-dresser--things which maddened me--Mrs. Petre admitted
her from the adjoining room. I was mad with jealousy, loving you as I
did. What happened between us I do not know. I--I only fear that--that I
took the knife from my breast and, in a frenzy of madness--killed her!"
And she covered