The drawing-room was both tastefully and extravagantly furnished. Lady Jenny might be a spendthrift, but she was also an artist, and alas! her period of splendor was drawing to a close. Already Chippingholt Manor had been sold to gratify the greedy creditors of its late owner. The house in Curzon Street was her own property under her marriage settlement, and this with ten thousand pounds from the insurance office was all she had in the world. So by the advice of her lawyer she had invested the money and let the house furnished. Now she was going abroad to practice economy in some continental town. All her plans were made; and this was the last week of her prosperity. She only lingered in England at the express request of Wilfred, who had made her promise to help him all she could to trap Van Zwieten. Brenda had come on the same errand; and now Lady Jenny sat and pondered how much she could tell her about the man. "Do speak to me," said Brenda. "I am so afraid for Harold." "You need not be," replied the widow, and her visitor noticed how worried and haggard she looked. "He is perfectly safe, I assure you. Van Zwieten shall not harm him!" "But he accuses him of committing the murder!" "So you said. But that doesn't matter. Whoever killed poor Gilbert it was not Harold Burton." "Tell me how Harold's revolver came to be found on the spot?" "I have an idea, but I cannot tell you--at all events, not just yet. Wait till I have seen Van Zwieten." "Are you going to see him?" "I think so--to-night, about nine o'clock. At least I left a note at his rooms which I think will bring him. I can only say that if he is a wise man he will come. Then I will settle him once and for all as far as Harold is concerned." "Lady Jenny, tell me who do you think killed your husband?" She looked at the girl sharply. "Did your father ever tell you he had a brother?" she asked. "Yes, he told me all about it; and how your wicked husband ran away with his wife! I beg your pardon, I should not speak so of Mr. Malet." "You need not apologize," the widow said bitterly, "Gilbert deserves all the names you could have called him. He was a bad man; and even though he is dead, and though he was punished by a violent death, I have not forgiven him." "Oh, don't say that; it is wrong!"