"Yes, she did. But except for that reference, spoken to her unknown companion, I have never heard anything of such an intention on her part." "You're fond of pearls, Miss Frayne?" "Oh, I know what you're getting at now. That speech Miss Lucy made about fondness for pearls. Of course, I am. Who isn't? I often told Miss Carrington that I admired her pearls far more than all her diamonds or other glittering stones. But I wouldn't commit a crime for all the pearls in the world! And, if I had, why didn't I steal the pearls?" Anita's voice rang out triumphantly as she put this question, but Fleming Stone said quietly: "I haven't accused you of crime, Miss Frayne, but since you ask that, let me remind you, that if the crime were done with intent of robbery, the reason that the robbery was never accomplished is the same that kept the man Bates from stealing. Few people can bring themselves to take valuables from a dead body. However, I cannot think the poisoning was done with any idea of direct robbery, but for the gain that would come by the bequests of the will." "Then your search is limited by the list of inheritors?" "It is, Miss Frayne." "Then, Mr. Stone, how can you overlook or undervalue the weight of evidence against Pauline Stuart? Remember, she bought that snake herself. Miss Lucy never told her to buy it, _never_ in this world! Pauline feared her aunt would disinherit her----" "How do you know that?" the question was shot at her, and Anita fairly jumped as she heard it. "Why--why, you know I heard reference made to it that night when----" "When you overheard that conversation; yes, go on." Fleming Stone had gained his point, which was to prove that Anita _did_ know of the proposed change in the will before that time, and to his own belief he had proved it. "Yes, I cannot doubt now that Pauline knew her aunt intended to change her will, and so she was so desperate at the idea of losing her fortune, she--I cannot bear to put it in words----" "She poisoned the lady," said Fleming Stone, very gravely. "Yes." Anita's voice choked, but she enunciated the word. "Mr. Stone, you must think me dreadful to hold these suspicions, but you asked me to be frank----" "And I wish you to be so. I am here, Miss Frayne, to discover the poisoner of Miss Carrington. It is my duty to get all possible light on the matter from any one I can. It is the duty of those whom I question to tell all they know, truthfully and straightforwardly. If these truths implicate or seem to implicate a member of the household, none the less must the investigation be carried on and the case be pushed to its inevitable conclusion. The great danger lies in mistaking opinions or imaginations for facts. Now you are telling facts as to the words you overheard, but you are giving only opinions as to whom those words were addressed."