“He is saved already,” said Moon sharply; “the evidence of Mr. Bakche, supported as it is by Jotty, proves that Mr. Sorley is innocent, and that you are guilty.” “And what is more,” put in Alan severely, “you evidently laid a trap for your husband. That is proved by your telling Jotty to bring me the letter and thus implicate him. And not until you knew that the peacock was in Mr. Sorley’s possession—as you guessed from the drawing having been made, knowing that none had been made before—did you make public the fact that your brother had been murdered for the sake of the bird.” “Yes, yes,” quavered Sorley, who was still kneeling and weeping, wholly broken down by his providential escape; “it was a trap, I always said so. I knew that she placed the peacock in that cupboard; I told you so, Alan. I never knew that she hid the stiletto with my jewels, as I never came across it. But now that I know, I am sure that she put it there to get me into still further trouble. And I admitted that the stiletto was mine, didn’t I, Alan I didn’t I, Mr. Inspector?” “Yes, yes,” said Moon nodding, “the case is clear enough. Miss Grison I arrest you on a charge of murdering your brother.” The woman was silent and glared at him fiercely, but made no effort to evade him as he advanced, clinking the handcuffs. “Wait a moment,” she said suddenly, “you needn’t put those on yet. What motive had I to kill the brother I loved so dearly?” “That I can’t tell,” said Moon hesitating. “She is mad,” cried Sorley, “she was always mad.” “You drove me mad,” shouted Miss Grison turning on him furiously. “I loved you and you scorned me because you wished to marry a rich woman. But that you could have put Baldwin in jail for that forgery I should have told the truth about my marriage; and much as I hated you I should have taken my true position here as your wife. But you were too strong for me and too strong for Baldwin. He was never wicked, but only weak, and you ruined him as you ruined me. I vowed to be revenged.” “And you have failed,” said Sorley brokenly, yet with a note of triumph. “Failed. Yes, I know I have failed, and what is more I have fallen into the trap I set for you. That makes me question the justice of the Eternal. He gave me misery all my life, and you happiness. Yet here you get the better of your evil, and I am condemned to the scaffold. Baldwin is better off. At least I saved him from being hanged.” “Oh,” said Moon, while Alan and Latimer started, “so you admit having murdered your brother.” “Yes,” said Miss Grison darkly, and throwing back her head. “I did evil that good might come of it. Listen and before you take me away policeman, I am willing to tell the truth.” “What you say will be used in evidence against you, remember.”