"I think," said Monteith, thoughtfully, "that the case looks very black against the former Mrs. Verschoyle, but what I want to be certain of is her relationship to Carmela." "You can find out by asking her." "No, I will not," said the Australian, doggedly; "but Roper can find out in Valletta, and if it turn out to be so, I'll speak to Carmela about the crime, and see what she knows." "Suppose she prove the sister, Mrs. Verschoyle, a murderess, will you give up Carmela?" "No," he answered, curtly. "I don't see why the sins of the father should be visited on the children, nor that one woman should be punished for the crime of another." CHAPTER XIII. THE APPLE OF DISCORD. Altogether Foster was very pleased with the position of affairs, as there was now some tangible evidence to go upon. In the first place it had been satisfactorily ascertained that Lionel Ventin was identical with Leopold Verschoyle, and in the second the handwriting of the wife of the deceased showed that she deliberately intended to commit the crime, and to all appearances had achieved her object while the steamer was lying at Malta. "The next thing to be done," said Foster to Ronald and Roper as they sat in his room, "is to obtain evidence as to Mrs. Verschoyle's movements on that night. Now, my impression is that she came on board to see her sister off to England, and while there, saw her husband, heard him tell you the number of his cabin--followed him, and after committing the crime, mixed in the crowd, and returned on shore undetected." "A very feasible theory," retorted Ronald, in a vexed tone; "but you forget--you have yet to prove that Miss Cotoner is Mrs. Verschoyle's sister. "That can be at once settled by asking Miss Cotoner." Ronald moved uneasily in his seat. "I suppose it must come to that," he replied; "but before asking her, I think it best that Roper should go to Malta, and find out all about Mrs. Verschoyle." "I can go to-morrow," said Roper, promptly, "and as soon as I find out what you want to know, I'll write at once." So it was settled. Julian Roper went out to Malta the next day, and there was nothing left for Monteith to do but to wait and see what evidence could be found against Mrs. Verschoyle. He felt very miserable over the whole affair, and particularly as it seemed probable that Carmela would be mixed up in it, and then--well, he did not like to dwell on the thought of such a possibility. And Carmela?