"What is two thousand a year to you?" demanded Rosy Pearl, scornfully. "Look what a reputation you will buy with it when the truth becomes known. It is worth the money. Besides, whatever your wife and Madame Coralie may have done--and I don't deny that they have acted very badly--Mrs. Shawe is at least innocent. She should not be punished." "She shan't have the two thousand a year." "Yes she shall. If you change your codicil, I change my mind." Sir Joseph scowled at her. "You mean that you won't marry me?" "Yes, I do. After all, I can make a better match if I so choose. Why, Lord Anvers asked me to marry him." "What--when he was making love to my daughter--I mean to Audrey?' "Yes. I thought that I could reform him, but he is a man of such a notoriously bad character that I decided to refuse him. But I have many offers, and I accept yours for certain reasons which I have no need to explain; but if you don't allow Mrs. Shawe this money I shall marry someone else. I assure you, Sir Joseph," said Miss Pearl, standing up in the full splendour of her beauty, "that I can marry anyone I like." "I quite believe it," said Branwin, grudgingly, for her beauty was undeniable and he wanted to possess it badly. "I shall take a few days to decide what is best to be done, as your revelation has taken me by surprise. I never cared much for Audrey, but I really believed that she was my own child. The scheming women!"--and he clenched his huge fist fiercely. "Tell me, Rosy, have you any idea who murdered my wife?" Miss Pearl shook her head. "The voices stopped suddenly, and when I went down the stairs later with the idea of seeing Lady Branwin and telling her what I knew, I found her dead. I believe," added Miss Pearl, cautiously, "that Madame Coralie murdered your wife." "I quite believe it. Just what that infernal Flora would do," said Sir Joseph, grimly. "If she did--but there, as Dora is dead I shall let the matter rest, although I should dearly like to bring Flora to the gallows. The re-opening of the case would do me no good." "Nor me," said Rosy Pearl, decisively, "for I should have to confess to the police what I have confessed to you, and then I would be blamed for having kept it quiet so long. I only hope that Miss Perry Toat will leave the matter alone." "Who is she?" "A detective who is looking into the case on behalf of your--of Mrs. Shawe, and who called on me after she had heard that Mr. Shawe had seen me. I was forced to tell her all I knew, so she may--" "She will," interrupted Sir Joseph, in an angry tone. "I daresay Audrey and her husband have gone to town about the business, and--" "Hush!" Miss Pearl stopped him with a gesture. "Someone is coming. Do not speak of these very private matters so loudly."