"In order to learn positively what took place in the house on that night," he said decisively, "we must find another and independent witness." "Can we?" asked Audrey, faintly, for she was greatly bewildered. "I think so. Rosy Pearl." "Oh!" Audrey stared. "But she will know nothing." "I am not so sure of that. She was sleeping in an upstairs bedroom." "Probably she _was_ asleep." "And it might be that she was awake," said Shawe, quickly. "At all events, it is strange that the woman whom your father desires to marry should be in the house where the obstacle to that marriage met with her death. And on the selfsame night, too," ended Ralph, with a nod. "What is to be done?" asked Audrey, astonished at this new development. "This. Say nothing about Badoura's conversation with Eddy Vail and wait patiently until I see Rosy Pearl. I shall do so this very day." "I wonder if she is guilty?" queried Audrey. But Shawe could not answer this question, which was scarcely to be wondered at. CHAPTER XIX MATRIMONIAL ARRANGEMENTS Ralph did not call on Miss Pearl that day, as he intended to do, for the simple reason that more important business demanded his attention. After returning with Audrey to the Pink Shop he walked away, thinking, with some irritation, over the disagreeable position in which the girl was placed by the callous behaviour of her father. Certainly, as Audrey was supposed to be going in for figure treatment, her stay with Madame Coralie was reasonably accounted for, and Ralph guessed that Sir Joseph would offer this excuse to his friends when they asked after his daughter. There was no doubt that when the old man recovered from the furious rage into which he had fallen when accused of the crime he would think twice before admitting that he had turned Audrey out of doors. Sir Joseph, in spite of his domineering ways, was a coward, so far as social reputation was concerned, and would not risk the finger of scorn being pointed at him. It assuredly would be, when people came to hear of his brutal action.