“No,” she replied quickly. “I came from Odessa. I have never been to the capital. But of course you have.” “Yes,” I said reflectively. “Unfortunately, however, my last visit was marred by a very sad occurrence.” “What was it?” she asked, lounging languidly in her chair. “The murder of my friend Ivan Liustig,” I replied calmly, gazing straight into her eyes. The announcement did not produce the effect I had intended. She stirred uneasily, but merely raised her eyebrows and uttered a low exclamation of horror. “The poor fellow was poisoned,” I continued, at the same time drawing my wallet from my pocket. “Here is his photograph,” I added, handing her a _carte de visite_. She looked calmly at the pictured face. “Very sad—very sad indeed,” she remarked. “And was the murderer caught?” She kept her eyes upon the photograph as she asked the question. “Murderess,” I said, in as unconcerned a tone as I could. “A woman, then?” “Yes, and, moreover, I have traced the assassin.” She looked up sharply into my face. Her handsome features presented a strange haggard appearance, and she toyed nervously with her rings. “Why—what—what do you mean?” she gasped. “Disguise is useless, Mrs. Elworthy,” I said sternly, as I rose to my feet. “I mean I can prove that you poisoned Ivan Liustig!” She started from her chair and glared at me. “You—you say this! You insult me, sir—in my own house—brand me a murderess! I’ll call the servants and have you shown out instantly,” she cried angrily, at the same time making a motion as if to ring the bell. I stayed her hand. “No, madame,” I said, “you will do nothing of the kind. Your daughter has probably not told you that I was present when she was arrested on suspicion. Since then your guilt has been proved, and it is useless to deny it. The bottle still containing a portion of the poison sold to you by Wagner, the chemist in the Nevski, is here,” I continued, taking it from my pocket and holding it before her eyes. “Besides, a Russian lad is now in London who actually saw you pour it into Ivan’s glass!” “He lies—I—I—never was in Petersburg in my life! I never knew Ivan——” The proud, handsome woman, now pale to the lips, stopped suddenly. Her tongue refused to articulate; she reeled, clutched at the table for support, but, tottering back, fell heavily to the floor. Ringing for the servants, I told them that their mistress had fainted. Then hurrying on my coat, I crammed my hat upon my head, and left the house. * * * * *