"I think these queries are unnecessarily personal, but I see, so far, no harm in replying. Mrs. Stannard knew so well her husband's temperament and disposition, that usually she laughed at his sudden adorations, knowing that he tired of them very quickly. The Stannards were a model and a modern couple. They never stooped to petty jealousies or bickerings, and had wide tolerance for each other's actions." "Mrs. Stannard is his second wife, is she not?" "Yes, they were married something more than two years ago." "And Mrs. Stannard had other suitors, who were disappointed at her marriage?" "That is usually true of any beautiful woman." "But in her case you know of instances?" Bobsy smiled pleasantly. "Naturally, as I know her so well." "And is Mr. Courtenay one of them?" "Mr. Courtenay was one of her devoted admirers, and since the marriage he has been a friend warmly welcomed here by both Mr. and Mrs. Stannard. No breath of reproach may be brought against Joyce Stannard or Eugene Courtenay. Of this I can assure you." "And the young lady,--is Barry Stannard a suitor of hers?" Beatrice's face clouded a little. "Yes; you cannot help seeing that, so I will tell you that he is madly in love with Miss Vernon, but his father strongly objected to the match, and threatened to disinherit Barry if he persisted in his attentions to the girl. I tell you this, because I prefer you to hear the truth from me, rather than a string of garbled gossip." "And young Stannard persisted?" "I think so. It was love at first sight on both sides, and Miss Vernon is a very lovely girl,--of quite as lovely a nature as her pure sweet face indicates." "Might not Mr. Stannard's objection to his son's suit have been prompted by his own admiration for the lovely nature?" "It might have been," and Beatrice sighed. "Eric Stannard was an exceedingly selfish man, and though his interest in the model was doubtless his usual temporary love affair, it is quite likely that it was the main motive of his displeasure at his son's interference. I am speaking very frankly, for I know these things must all come out, and I am hoping, if you know just how matters are, you will understand the case better and be more prepared to relieve the two women of suspicion." "It may be so," and Captain Steele nodded his head sagely. But Mrs. Faulkner was watching him closely. "You are not yet very greatly influenced by my revelations, I can see," she said, "but I am sure you will come around to my way of thinking, sooner or later. The more you see of your suspects, the more you will realise the absurdity of your suspicions." "That's possibly true. When can we have an interview with either of them?" "Mrs. Stannard is prostrated. I am sure you cannot see her before the funeral, which will be to-morrow. Won't you refrain from asking it, until after that?"