"Yes, it is no use me denying it, she was on board, and appeared to be very excited; she said she had seen Leopold in Valletta that day, but did not tell me he was on board the boat; then she, together with Vassalla, became separated from me in the crowd, and I never saw her again. After the boat sailed, I asked Vassalla why she had not said good-bye, and he informed me that the crowd was so great she could not find me, and went on shore as the last bell rang." "Was Vassalla excited when he spoke to you?" asked the barrister, thoughtfully. "No; as cool and quiet as he generally is." "When the murder was discovered, did he say anything--make any remark?" "No; except to mention that a passenger, called Mr. Ventin, had been killed." "Did he see the body?" said Foster, turning to Ronald. "I don't think so," replied Ronald doubtfully; "very few saw the body; but, of course, he must have known that Verschoyle was on board." "How so?" "Because Verschoyle was leaning over the side of the ship when the new passengers were coming up, and he must have recognised him, especially when Mrs. Verschoyle told him she had seen her former husband; he would then be on the look-out for him." "Humph!--yes--no doubt," replied Foster, thoughtfully. "Can you tell us anything else, Miss Cotoner?" "Nothing," she answered, rising to her feet, "except that Vassalla told me my sister had committed the crime, and instructed me to deny seeing her on board, which I did--I wrote to you," turning to to Monteith. "Yes, I understood your letter," he said, gently; and Carmela flashed a grateful look at him. "Vassalla said he was the only one who could bring the crime home to my sister," she went on, "and made me promise to marry him as the price of his silence." "But you will not do so?" cried Monteith. "What can I do?" she said, helplessly. "I cannot see my sister accused of such a crime, when I know it is in my power to prevent it." "He won't accuse her," broke in Foster, bluntly. "Then you think she is innocent?" said Carmela, joyfully. "I don't know that," answered Foster; "the whole affair seems to lie between your sister and Vassalla. He knows more about this affair than we think. Your sister is in England--is she not?" "Yes." "You have not seen her?" "No; I refused, until she cleared herself of this charge." "Do you know why she came here?" "No." "Because the detective we sent out told her that the Marchese wanted to marry you, and she came to stop the marriage." "Bah!" said Carmela, scornfully, "she knows I don't care for Vassalla." "True enough," answered Foster, quietly; "but she knows Vassalla cares for you. What will be the consequence? She will try and make Vassalla break off the marriage. If he refuse----" "Well?" they both cried, in a breath.