"Well, Mr. Ware, it was this way," she answered. "When you came to me and talked about the Scarlet Cross, I remembered that Dane had such a one on his watch-chain." "The badge of the gang!" "Of course, but I did not know that until later. Then Steel came in, if you remember, and hinted that the red cross was the symbol of such a gang. Your talk of the cross being found in the church, and that you thought it was dropped by the criminal set me thinking. I sent for Dane again and tried to find out the truth. At first he refused, saying it was as much as his life was worth to talk." "And I daresay he is right, mademoiselle. Denham would not stick at a second murder. By the way, did you know he was Wilson?" "Only when Dane confessed. I gradually got him to be confidential to me, promising that he would not get into trouble. He was so deeply in love with me that he spoke out at last." "My dear Olga!" "Well, mother, I knew if I could get at the truth I could save Anne." The Princess nodded, well pleased. "I am glad you thought of your sister." Olga flushed a deep red and her eyes sought those of Giles. "It was not my sister I thought of, but of myself," she said in a low tone. "You see, mother, I fancied that I might get something if I could prove the innocence of Anne, for I----" "Is any explanation needed, mademoiselle?" said Giles uneasily. She paused for a moment and looked at him straightly. "No," she said at length; "that is all over. I think no more explanation need be made. But with regard to Dane. He told me that Denham had come to England to see about the money left to Daisy Kent. He disguised himself as Wilson and lodged at a Mrs. Benker's. Then he went down to Rickwell, and----" "And murdered Daisy," interposed Giles eagerly. "So I said, Mr. Ware; but Dane, who seems devoted in a way to Denham, denies that he struck the blow." "Does he know who did?" "No. He says Denham doesn't know either." "Denham's a bigger scoundrel than you think," said Giles, recalling his last conversation at the Priory. "He accuses Anne of murdering the girl." "He'll have to prove it, then," said Olga coolly, while her mother shrieked. "I'll be able to save Anne, never fear. However, Dane told me that the red cross was the badge of a thieves' gang. Denham had a yacht called _The Red Cross_, which goes from one port to another to take stolen goods on board." "That's what Steel says." "Of course. Dane told him when he taxed him with it. The boy, for he is just twenty-five, told me everything." "And you told Steel," said Ware, rather reproachfully. "I had to tell Steel, if I wished to save Anne," retorted Olga; "but I asked him to do nothing to imperil the liberty of Mark Dane." "Did he promise that?" "Yes. Dane saw him in Bournemouth. I told him to call with a note, which I gave him. Dane did not know why he was sent, and when he discovered that Steel was a detective, he became afraid. I believe he told something, but he afterwards ran away."