"I stole them from the woman's spare supply," he said. "I have been all over her possessions to-day. I almost suffocated the horrible little things and removed their stings. Of course, they won't live many hours. I did it in a spirit of mischief, intending to release them in my lady's own sitting room. I couldn't resist the temptation to try her nerves to-night." "You are getting near the truth?" Geoffrey asked. "Very near it. We want certain evidence to bring the whole gang into the net, and then we shall strike--if they don't murder us first. But----" The speaker paused as Vera entered the room. "Where is Mrs. May?" Geoffrey asked. "She has gone to her room," Vera explained. "Her foot is so painful that she has decided to accept an invitation to spend the night here." "Good," Tchigorsky muttered. "It could not have been better." CHAPTER XXIX MRS. MAY AT RAVENSPUR The woman known as Mrs. Mona May had lost no time in adapting herself to circumstances. That she had found her way on to the terrace for no good purpose was known to three people, although in all probability she imagined that Tchigorsky alone was acquainted with her designs. He had laid a trap for her and to a certain extent he had forced her hand. But she was too brilliant and unscrupulous a woman not to be able to turn misfortune to her own advantage. And was she not here----here a guest among those who for some reason she hated from her soul? Why, it matters not for the present. From Mrs. May's point of view Tchigorsky alone knew, and Tchigorsky was going away ere long. But whether Tchigorsky remained or not, Mrs. Mona May could defy him to prove that she was in any way connected with the misfortunes of the Ravenspurs. Once the man she had most reason to dread had withdrawn to the billiard room, the adventuress lost no time in ingratiating herself with her involuntary hosts. This was the woman with whom Geoffrey had dined. Vera regarded her curiously. She was very beautiful and fascinating. She had a manner that attracted. Her conversation was bright and interesting. "You must not mind me," she said to Vera. "And you must not grudge me a little of your lover's company." Vera blushed divinely. "How did you guess that?" she asked. "Oh, there are signs, my dear. I have had my own romance and I know. But women of my age can never really rival young girls like yourself. We lack the one great charm." "I should not have thought so," said Vera. Mrs. May patted the girl playfully on the cheek. "That is a very pretty compliment," she replied. "But it does not alter facts. A woman of forty may be fascinating. She has the brilliant parts. But, alas! it is only once that she can possess youth." The speaker turned away with a gentle sigh and began to discuss the art treasures in the drawing room with Mrs. Gordon. All the time Marion had held coldly aloof from the stranger. "You are not like yourself to-night," Vera murmured.