“Presumably for what purpose?” “On each occasion, sir, to meet Lord Westray.” “Do you, Mr. Trackem, know anything of Rita Vernon?” asks Sir Anthony. “Certainly, sir. She used frequently to visit my house.” “Will you name the last two occasions you have seen her, Mr. Trackem?” “Well, sir, the first was on the night of the 20th of June, 1894, and the last on the night of Lord Westray’s murder,” answers Mr. Trackem. “Was she with any one on those two occasions?” “Yes, sir, each time with the same person.” “And that person, Mr. Trackem, was?” “The Duke of Ravensdale,” answers the scoundrel quickly. A movement of intense surprise pervades the court. “Will you describe to his lordship and the jury all you know about the terrible occurrence of which Lord Westray was the victim, Mr. Trackem?” commands Sir Anthony Stickleback, folding his arms. “I will do my best, sir. On the afternoon of the day on which Lord Westray disappeared, I received a note from Mrs. de Lara, sent especially by Rita Vernon. In this note she instructed me to retain my house free for the night, and to admit no one but Lord Westray. I acted as requested, and she and his lordship arrived about half-past one. I retired to bed, there being no one in the house but two men-servants and a woman. The men, like myself, had retired to rest. Suddenly I was startled by hearing a shot, followed by a loud cry. I jumped out of bed, slipped into my trousers, and called my two men. We proceeded to the room in which were Lord Westray and Mrs. de Lara. On entering, we found it in possession of Mr. D’Estrange, the Duke of Ravensdale, and Rita Vernon. The two latter were beside Mrs. de Lara, who was lying on a sofa. Lord Westray was stretched out on the floor, blood issuing from a wound in the throat, and above him stood Mr. D’Estrange, with a discharged revolver in his hand.