"Then surely you would be able to recognise the man whom you assert stabbed your mistress? Have you seen him since?" "Never." "Don't tell me his name, but answer me; do you know it?" "No; my mistress always called him Victor, and told me, whenever he came, to announce him as Monsieur. He, too, always addressed her by her Christian name." "Why did you not give information to the police at the time?" asked his lordship. "Because I should have been prosecuted for robbery," she replied, confusedly. "I have only one question, m'lord," exclaimed counsel for the prosecution, rising. Turning to the witness, he asked: "When was the first occasion upon which you saw the prisoner?" "Half-an-hour ago." "And you positively swear you never saw him before to-day?" "I do." "Witness," said the judge, "you will give the police a detailed description of the man you saw commit the murder. That will do." Mr Roland and Vera were in earnest conversation. He appeared to be dubious about some point upon which she was trying to convince him. The spectators were eager for the next development of the curious case. They had followed the verbal duel with the same interest as that inspired by a thrilling drama performed by first-class artistes. Several times already applause had almost broken out, and was only suppressed by the dread of the Court being cleared. "The next witness, m'lord, will be Boris Seroff," Mr Roland said, glancing hesitatingly at his brief, while Vera retired to a seat where I could not observe her. "Seroff!" I repeated to myself, "who can he be? Surely he must be a relation of Vera's; and yet I've never heard of him!" The name was shouted down the corridor outside the Court; then there was a movement among the eager crowd which stood about the door, and a man advanced towards the witness-box. Instantly I recognised him. It was the murderer! What fresh intrigue was this? I leapt from my chair, and leaning over the dock, cried: "My lord, that man who is going to give evidence, is--" "Enough?" interposed the judge. "If you cannot be silent, you will be removed to the cells during the remainder of your trial." The warder at my side grasped me roughly by the arm, and forcing me into my chair, whispered, "Don't be a fool! Such excitement can do you no good." I saw how utterly helpless I was, yet I was determined to denounce this man by some means. The midnight scene in the Dene came back to me in all its hideous reality. Vera's lips defiled by those of a murderer! The thought goaded me to desperation. Springing to my feet again I was on the point of proclaiming his guilt, when the first question was put by my counsel. "Now, Mr Seroff, what are you?" With bated breath I awaited his answer. "I am brother-in-law of accused. His wife is my sister." His sister! Then at least I had no cause for jealousy, and had judged Vera wrongly.