"Because she is a stupid woman, and she does not see the consequences of her insane denial, and the conclusions that must inevitably be drawn from it. When the room was examined, ashes were found in the grate that had been paper." "How does she explain that?" "She does not explain it. She explains nothing. She just sets her teeth and repeats her wretched formula that she burned nothing." "What took her up to the flat at all then, just when her friend was dying?" "She says Mrs Brand sent her up to see if her portrait was safe. But Mr Brand does not believe that either, as he says he had already told his wife that it was uninjured." "This Miss Black is a strong liar," said Stephen. "I should not have guessed it from her face. She looked as straight and innocent as a child; but one never can tell." "I imagine I do not look like a liar. But would you say if I also were accused of lying that you never can tell?" Stephen was taken aback. He bit his little finger and frowned at the wonderful roses in front of him. "I know you speak the truth," he said, "because you have spoken it to me. I should believe what you said--always--under any circumstances." "You believe in my truthfulness from experience. Do you never believe by intuition?" "Not often." "When first I saw Miss Black I perceived that she was a perfectly honest, upright woman. I did not wait till she had given me any proof of it. I saw it." "I certainly thought the same. To say the truth, I am surprised at her duplicity." "In my case you judged by experience. In her case I want you to go by intuition, by your first impression, which I know is the true one. I would stake my life upon it." "I don't see how my intuitions would help her." "Oh! yes, they will. Mr Brand is aware from the lift man, who saw you, that you were on the spot directly before he smelt smoke. Mr Brand will probably write to you." "He has written already. He has asked me to see him on business to-morrow morning. He does not say what business." "He is certain to try and find out from you what Miss Black was doing when you saw her in his flat. It seems you and Mr De Rivaz both left your cards on the table--why I can't think--but it shows you were both there. He came up himself next day and found them." "We both sent messages to Brand by Miss Black." "It seems she never gave them. She says now she forgot all about them." Stephen shook his head. "If Brand comes I shall be obliged to tell him the truth," he said. "That was why I was so bent on seeing you. I am anxious you _should_ tell him the truth." Stephen looked steadily at her. "What truth?" he said. "Whatever you consider will disabuse his mind of the suspicion that she burned her brother's I O U. Mr De Rivaz' view of the truth is that the smoke came from a burnt sheet of his own drawing-paper." "I am not accountable for De Rivaz. He can invent what he likes. That is hardly my line."