"Never mind; never mind." Ralph impatiently waved his hand. "You should not be here, Audrey. Let me take you back home." The girl laughed bitterly. "Is that all you have to say? I don't leave this room until you tell me the truth. I want to know why you wrote an anonymous letter instead of speaking to me openly." "Had I spoken openly you would have asked questions which I could not answer." "You must answer them now. Did you murder my mother yourself?" "Good heavens! no. How can you ask such a thing?" cried Shawe, furiously. "Is this the opinion you have of me?" "Very well," said Audrey, coolly; "you are innocent yourself, so we will let that pass. Miss Toat said that you have never been the same since she told you something that Parizade had said. What is it?" Shawe reflected for a few moments. "I see that I shall have to tell you all, my dear," he said sadly, "although I have done my best to spare you the knowledge. Parizade, while wandering about the Pink Shop on the night of the crime, smelt a strong scent of Harris tweed. Listen," and Ralph told the girl in detail the same story as the blind woman had told Perry Toat. "Well," said Audrey, much puzzled, "it seems that someone who wore Harris tweed was in the passage hiding. But what has this to do with your desire that I should know nothing?" "Who is it that constantly wears Harris tweed--almost constantly, that is?" asked Shawe. "Plenty of people wear Harris tweed--both men and women. Why, my father--" "Yes," said Ralph, interrupting pointedly, "your father." Audrey grew red and white by turns. "My father--you suspect my father?" "I believe that he is guilty," said Ralph, solemnly, and nodded. CHAPTER XVI A DILEMMA The moment Audrey became certain of the name of the person accused by her lover, she recalled what Mrs. Mellop had said about Sir Joseph. As the thought came into her mind she turned very white, and leaning back in the chair closed her eyes, feeling deadly sick. It really seemed as though Ralph had spoken the truth, and that her father, of all people, was guilty. No wonder the diamonds had not been stolen. Sir Joseph had not crept into the Pink Shop to steal jewels, but to rid himself of an undesirable wife. A nervous shiver shook the girl from head to foot, and she almost lost consciousness. But the touch of a cold glass rim on her lips made her open her eyes, and she saw that Shawe was offering her some wine. "Drink this, darling, and you will feel better," he said anxiously. This time Audrey did not refuse, as she felt that she needed to be sustained at the moment. Without a word she drank half the wine, and then motioned Ralph to remove the glass. In a minute or so the colour came back to her face, and she sat up with renewed strength. "I am all right now," she declared firmly. "Ralph, sit down and explain."