"I don't know," she said. "I possess no proof of his innocence, and I'm ready to go into the witness box, and swear he killed my husband." "He says he is not guilty," said Ronald. "He'll say anything to save his neck, but he is guilty; I'll see him hanged, till he is dead." There was something so repulsive in the vindictiveness of this woman, that both the young men were disgusted, and left the room followed by Mrs. Verschoyle, who was laughing to herself in a satisfied manner. "Why don't you thank me?" she said, savagely, to Ronald; "I have prevented Carmela from marrying another man, and secured your happiness." "I don't care for happiness that is founded on the ruin of another man," said Monteith, coldly. "Bah! you are a fool; he is guilty." "That," said Foster, quietly, "has yet to be proved." She flashed a look of anger at him, then went out of the hotel door, and stepped into a hansom. "I will see you to-morrow," she called out, "and then I can prove that what I say is true." The cab drove off, leaving Foster and Ronald looking at one another. "What do you think?" asked the Australian. "I don't know what to think," said Foster: "the Marchese says he is innocent." "All men accused of a crime say that." "Yes; but I fancy in this case it's true." "Then, who killed Verschoyle?" "I believe his wife did." "What!" "Yes; I think she's accusing Vassalla out of jealousy." "But he did not accuse her of the crime." "No, he certainly did not," said Foster, musingly. "It's a queer case. What was the paper he was talking about?" "I don't know," said Ronald. "It is, as you say, a very queer case. I'm going down to Marlow to-morrow." "What for?" "I want to see Carmela, and tell her all about the affair." "Yes, it will be best for you to do that," said Foster. "Perhaps she may throw some light on the affair." "I don't think so; we know everything she knows." "I expect the real reason you want to go down is, to tell her she is free?" said Foster, quizzically. "She's not free yet," retorted Ronald. "To all intents and purposes she is." "I want to hear from her own lips that she considers herself free." "But you don't think she'll marry Vassalla now--a man accused of murder?" "I don't know," said Ronald, with a sigh, "women are such queer creatures. She may consider herself doubly bound, now he's down on his luck." "I'll bet you she don't!" "I'll bet you she does!" "Very well," said Foster, philosophically, "the wager will be decided to-morrow night." CHAPTER XXVI. CARMELA SAYS "YES."