At this moment a knock came to the door, and Carmela had just time to turn and conceal her haggard face when a servant entered with a telegram, and Ronald took it while the man retired. "This telegram is for you," he said, holding it out. "For me?" she said, turning and taking it from him; "what can it be about?" and she tore open the envelope, read the telegram, and gave a cry of delight. "What is it?" asked Ronald, anxiously. "I need not write to Malta," she said, quickly; "my sister is on her way to England." CHAPTER XVII. MAN AGAINST WOMAN. Gerald Foster was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Ronald, in his chambers, for he was anxious to know what Carmela would say about her sister's movements on the night in question. He was pacing up and down his room, biting his nails, and casting impatient looks at the clock. "He's a long time away," he said, aloud; "I wonder what on earth she's telling him. The worst of it is Monteith is so transparent that she will see through his motive at once, and, in order to shield her sister, will deny everything. They don't like one another, but for the credit of her own name she won't say a word--ah!" as a footstep on the stair attracted his attention, "here is my ambassador--I am anxious to learn the new move in the game. Well," as Ronald entered the room, "am I right or wrong?" Ronald threw himself into a seat with an air of lassitude, and looked gloomily at the floor. "You are right." Foster gave a cry of triumph. "I knew it; things are coming to a crisis my dear fellow, and we'll soon run this woman to earth." "I hope not." "You hope not--why?" "Because I am anxious to marry Carmela, and I do not want to have a murderess for a sister-in-law." "Whether it's made private or public, you are bound to have that," replied Foster, dryly; "my advice is not to marry her." "But I love her, madly," said Ronald, raising his heavy eyes to his friend's face, "it would kill me to lose her." "Men have died and worms have eaten them, but love did not kill them," said the barrister, cynically; "you'll get over this fancy in time--but come, tell me all about it." So Ronald related his interview with Carmela, to which Foster listened attentively. "I wonder what Vassalla will say to that?" he said, when the Australian had finished; "you see, Mrs. Verschoyle was on board after all." "That does not prove her guilty of the murder," retorted Ronald. "Then why does she try to prove an _alibi?_" said Foster, quickly. "Why, everything we find out only makes the case stronger against her. I should like to have an interview with her." "That will be easily managed: she is coming to England." "You don't say so! When?" "Miss Cotoner received a cablegram while I was there," said Ronald, "and her sister is on her way now." "What the deuce does she mean by running her head into the lion's mouth?" observed Foster, in a puzzled tone. "She must know that such a crime cannot be passed over in silence."