"I don't think so, unfortunately," said Audrey, with a mournful look. "She knew him so well, and also she saw him in his tweed suit early in the evening when she came to take me to the theatre." "I thought you told me that he was not at dinner, and went out very early?" "So he did," said the girl, quickly; "but Mrs. Mellop came early also, and she passed him in the hall when he was going out. He did not stay to dinner. It was six o'clock when he went out--about the time Mrs. Mellop arrived. She mentioned the fact to me." "And when did she say that she saw Sir Joseph in the lane?" "To-day. That was one reason why I wished to see you. Mrs. Mellop has been trying hard to get my father to marry her. Yesterday she learnt from his own lips that he intended to marry Rosy Pearl, and lost her temper. My father asked her to leave, and she returned to her own home this afternoon. At our last interview she hinted that she believed my father had something to do with the death of my mother, and stated that she had seen him in the lane." "Has she any other grounds upon which to base such a statement?" "I don't think so. And I don't believe she believes what she says. It is simply the petty spite of a woman who has been disappointed. She can do no harm to my father in any way." "Singly, I don't think she can," assented the barrister, thoughtfully; "but if Parizade's evidence became public property there would be trouble if it were taken in conjunction with what Mrs. Mellop saw." "I don't think that Perry Toat suspects my father," said Audrey, after a lengthy pause; "at least, she did not say that she did. She told me to ask you for an explanation, as she declared that you seemed disturbed by Parizade's evidence." "And with good reason," said the barrister. "No one but you and I know how important that evidence is, seeing that we are aware of your father's liking for Harris tweed." "I can't think that he is guilty, all the same," said Audrey, tearfully. Shawe walked up and down the room thoughtfully. "Well," he said finally, "I have kept my suspicions from you as long as I could; but now that you know, Audrey, I think you should question your father." "Oh!"--she shrank back in her chair--"I dare not." "If you don't Perry Toat may get to know what we have discovered, and as she is anxious to gain the reward she will certainly go to Sir Joseph herself." Audrey shivered. "Oh, how angry he would be!" "If he is innocent he certainly would show Miss Toat no mercy; on the other hand, if he is guilty, he would make terms." "I can't think that he is guilty," cried the girl, in despair. "With all his faults, he surely would not strangle his own wife." She rose to her feet. "It seems incredible, but--look at the evidence. Audrey, you must speak to your father or let me speak. But tell me one thing"--he took her in his arms--"have you forgiven me for my strange conduct, for I know that it seemed strange in your dear eyes?"