Branwin winced and became very calm. It was wonderful to see how rapidly he cooled down from his hot anger. "Miss Pearl was in the shop as a client of Madame Coralie's," he said with an attempt at dignity. "You can have no grounds for saying that she had anything to do with the matter." "I never said so," rejoined Ralph, drily, "and I only suspect you because of your wearing Harris tweed. Someone clothed in such a cloth certainly lurked in the passage on that night. Was that person you?" "No," said Sir Joseph, coolly; "and I defy you to prove it." "Oh! papa, we don't wish to prove it," said Audrey, quickly. "Your word denying your presence there is sufficient." Branwin turned on his daughter with a great show of courtesy. "Pardon me, but I have not the honour of your acquaintance," he said politely. "You are a stranger to me." "Papa, what do you mean?" "I mean that you have left my house to see your lover against my wishes. I now cast you off, and you can stay here. You shall never re-enter the home you have disgraced." Audrey sank into a chair with a cry of dismay, and Ralph advanced furiously on the millionaire. "Sir Joseph, you can't mean this?" "I do mean it. Audrey has disobeyed me, and, moreover, in conjunction with you, she has accused me of committing a murder." "I did not--I did not!" cried Audrey, wringing her hands. "Pardon me, but you did," said Branwin, still ironically polite. "You can take your own way henceforth, and I should advise you to change your name as speedily as possible. You can't possibly care to keep my name, when I am in danger of arrest as the murderer of my own wife. Mr. Shawe"--he bowed to the barrister--"I congratulate you on your approaching marriage." "But, Sir Joseph--" "Not a word more. My doors are closed on that woman"--he pointed insultingly to Audrey. "Good-night--both of you!" and with a final bow he walked heavily out of the room. A moment later, and they heard the door bang. CHAPTER XVII WHAT AUDREY OVERHEARD The two young people remained alone, looking at one another, and feeling quite aghast at the position in which they now found themselves. They had not expected Sir Joseph's appearance, much less that he would behave in so brutal a manner. Moreover, he had repelled the hinted accusation so calmly, and had admitted so freely that he had been in Walpole Lane, that both Audrey and Ralph felt certain he was completely innocent. Certainly, they had not directly accused him of committing the crime--the girl especially would have been horrified at the mere idea--but Sir Joseph had taken what they said to mean that they suspected him, and so had revenged himself in the cruel way he had done. The bang of the door startled both from the momentary state of stupor into which the unexpected behaviour of Branwin had plunged them. Audrey, with a white face and startled eyes, looked at her lover. "What is to be done now?" she asked in a low voice.