"I am glad you think so," said Miss Pearl once more. She did not seem to have many ideas. "I get a good salary, and for three years I have been dancing everywhere, so I have saved money, and I am able to help mother. She was shocked at first, being a consistent Baptist; but now she is reconciled to the idea, as she knows that I have never forgotten my early teaching. But my success won't last for ever. I am clever enough to see that, so I intend to marry Sir Joseph Branwin, and I hope to make him a good wife." "I am sure you will," said Shawe, heartily, and felt as though he were encouraging a child. "You have known him long?" "For two years. He has always been a good friend to me, although I have invariably kept him at arm's length. But now that his wife is dead he wants to marry me." "And you say that you will marry him?" Miss Pearl looked at Shawe very directly. "I think I shall marry him; but, of course, I may not. I have not yet made up my mind." "But you said just now--" "Yes, I know what I said, Mr. Shawe. But one can never be sure of anything in this world of trouble. However, it doesn't much matter if I marry him or not, as I have saved a lot of money, and I am quite content to go back to my village and live with my parents. And now, Mr. Shawe, that I have told you all about myself, perhaps you will explain why you wish to see me." Time was getting on, and Shawe had learnt nothing definite as yet, so he lost no further time, but plunged into the middle of his reason for calling. "I wish to know if you saw anything when you stayed at the Pink Shop likely to lead you to suspect who is the assassin of Lady Branwin?" "There," said Miss Pearl, colouring again, "I knew some day that I would be asked that question again." "Were you asked it before?" "Yes. Inspector Lanton asked me. He learnt from Madame Coralie that I slept in the upstairs room, and questioned me. Of course, I knew nothing, as I was asleep all the time, and I told him so. I also asked him to keep my name out of the papers, as such publicity would not have been good for me. And now," added Miss Pearl, emphatically, "it would do me positive harm seeing that Sir Joseph wants to marry me. People would say nasty things." "For instance, that you wished Lady Branwin to die?" "I daresay," said Miss Pearl, in quite a savage tone for so serene a goddess. "But let them, that's all. I have always my solicitors to look after my reputation. Do you think that?" she asked suddenly. "No," said Ralph, frankly. "I might have entertained some such suspicion, but after seeing you I do not suspect you in the least. Still"--he paused--"you may know of something." "Know what, for instance?" asked Miss Pearl, sharply. Ralph evaded an answer, and asked another question. "Did you wear a Harris tweed dress when you were at the Pink Shop?" "No, I did not. Why do you ask?"