He proved this at the sumptuous meal they ordered at the restaurant in High Street. It was an excellent place with an excellent cook, and the two young people chose exactly the dishes they enjoyed most. In the middle of the meal Audrey laughed, as it struck her as strange that people so troubled as they were could eat and drink so freely. "No one would think that I was a pauper turned out of house and home by a hard-hearted father," said Audrey, smiling. "I am glad you see the humour of it," said Ralph, drily. "Oh, don't be angry, dear. I thank Heaven that I have a gift of humour to enable me to see these troubles in their true light. Aunt Flora has sent for my boxes, and has written to tell my father that I am to stop with her for the time being. She hinted that she could force him to allow me an income." "How can she force him?" asked Shawe, quickly. "Does she know that he was in the Pink Shop on that night?" "No; she did not say so, nor did I mention the subject. Besides, papa said in your rooms that although he was in the lane he did not enter the shop." "I don't see what else you could expect him to say," replied Ralph, with a shrug. "If he was in the shop, he certainly would not incriminate himself by admitting it." "After all, we have only Parizade's evidence regarding that scent of Harris tweed to go upon," said Audrey, thoughtfully. "Seeing that your father is so fond of wearing that particular cloth, I must say that the evidence is very strong," retorted Ralph. "Yet you declared that it would not stand in a court of law." "Perhaps yes, perhaps no; it is a difficult thing to say, Audrey. However, since you now know what I wrote the anonymous letter to keep from you, there will be no further hesitation on my part in searching for the true assassin. If he proves to be your father I shan't be sorry, seeing how brutally he has behaved to you." Audrey shook her head. "If I thought that papa was guilty I would ask you to stop searching, and to leave him to the punishment of his conscience." "He hasn't got one, my dear," said Shawe, scoffingly. "And if he isn't guilty, who is, may I ask?" "Eddy Vail," said Audrey, without a moment's hesitation. Ralph pushed back his chair and looked at her in astonishment. The restaurant was almost empty, and they had a corner table entirely to themselves, so they could speak very freely, so long as they kept their voices low. "On what grounds do you make that assertion, Audrey?" he asked sharply. "I overheard a conversation between Badoura and Eddy Vail this morning." "Oh, and you learnt enough to make you suspect Vail?" "I learnt plainly that Vail is guilty, if Badoura is to be believed." Shawe remained silent through sheer astonishment. "Tell me exactly what you did overhear," he remarked at length.