Dowker shrugged his shoulders. "The evidence against him was too strong to permit him being at large, but from what I have learnt lately I have reason to believe he is not the guilty man." This remark, coming from such a source, produced the profoundest impression in the mind of May Penfold, and Norwood himself seemed relieved, while the baronet stood on the hearthrug and looked stolidly on. "Then we can work together?" said the lawyer. "Yes; to prove the innocence of Mr. Desmond," replied Dowker. "And in doing so we will discover the real criminal." "And now," observed Balscombe in a cold voice, "having settled this little matter about helping Mr. Desmond, whom I sincerely trust will be proved innocent of this charge, perhaps, Mr. Dowker, you will inform me the reason of your visit?" "Certainly, sir," replied Dowker deliberately. "I want to ask you some questions about Lady Balscombe." Two of his listeners looked at him in surprise struck by the singularity of the coincidence that he should have called on exactly the same errand as they did. "I wish to know," said Dowker, "if you are aware that your wife called at Lord Calliston's chambers on the night of the murder?" "Who says so?" asked Balscombe, harshly. "No one," replied the detective; "but did she?" "I cannot tell you," said Sir Rupert; and he gave the same account of his movements on the night in question as he had done to Norwood. "Oh," said Dowker, stroking his chin; "so you were in town after all on that night?" Sir Rupert looked uncomfortable under the steady gaze of the detective, and blurted out, somewhat confusedly, that he was. "And you," questioned Dowker, turning to Norwood, "think it was Lady Balscombe that Desmond saw?" "Yes; because he said he could not get permission to speak except from the lady on board _The Seamew_, and the lady we know is Sir Rupert's wife." "But Lady Balscombe did not leave this house till after twelve o'clock, and as the woman saw Mr. Desmond before that time it could not have possibly been Lady Balscombe." "How do you know my wife did not leave till after twelve?" demanded Balscombe. "From the evidence of her maid, Anne Lifford." "Yes, she told me the same thing," interposed May, "and if that is so, well--" she looked at the other three in helpless confusion. "As Mr. Desmond refuses to give us any information," said Dowker, "the only thing to be done is to wait and find out the truth from Lady Balscombe herself." "What could she know about this woman's death?" asked Sir Rupert. "She might not know much," replied Dowker, significantly, "but enough to show in what way her sister met her death." "Her sister!" echoed the others in surprise. "Yes I have ascertained Lena Sarschine to have been the sister of Lady Balscombe." "Are you mad?" said the baronet angrily. "Do you know who my wife was?"