"Certainly not; she would not have dared to do so to me, under pain of instant dismissal. But you surely don't suspect her."
"No," confessed Torry dismally, "I do not. It was a man's arm which dealt the fatal blow. But what was your maid doing in Mortality-lane?"
"Certain! We found her dead near the Needle on the Embankment, and the lace of her mantle was torn. A portion of it was in the death-grip of her former master. Oh, it is the same woman without a doubt."
"How was she dressed?" said Maria with feminine curiosity.
"In that hat, a fawn-coloured mantle trimmed with black lace--why--why! what is the matter?"
"A fawn-coloured mantle," stammered Maria, who had half risen from her chair, and was staring at Torry with horrified eyes--"with lace, and--and black braid?"
"I do--I do! Mother of Sorrows have pity on me!" She crossed herself rapidly, and walking to the window, looked out, quivering with emotion. The two men stared at one another; then Torry walked forward and touched the girl's arm. She shrank away with a cry.
"What do you know of that mantle?" he asked softly.
Maria hesitated and shook her head; then, evidently making up her mind, she turned to face Torry. "I have to ask your pardon," said she in low tones. "I doubted if the woman who met my uncle was Julia. Now I know that it was her. I gave her that mantle. Ah, God! to think she should be so evil!"
"We do not know that," replied Torry, accepting the explanation as sufficient. "She may have been more sinned against than sinning. In any case, she has paid for all her follies with her life."
"I don't know; but I am sure her lover--the man she went away to marry--killed Mr. Grent. If I could only learn that fellow's personal appearance! He must have done his courting here, as Julia was in your service for so long. You never saw him, Miss?"
"No; but the servants might have done so."
"An excellent idea!" cried Torry, rubbing his hands. "Mr. Darrel, will you be so kind as to remain here? Miss Sandoval, please take me to see your butler; he, if anyone, will know the truth. Failing him, I'll try the housekeeper."
"Very well, sir," said Donna Maria, rising and walking towards the door. "I hope you'll be able to discover the truth."