When the car glided away Audrey laughed. She felt sure that Mrs. Mellop would do her best. She was also very certain that she would fail, as Sir Joseph never changed his mind. He had declared, with indecent haste, that he intended to marry the music-hall artist, and he would do so, whatever obstacles were placed in the way. Moreover, Rosy Pearl was just the kind of fine woman whom the millionaire admired. Mrs. Mellop was a mere shrimp beside Miss Pearl's massive proportions, and Sir Joseph did not care for diaphanous creatures of the widow's type. However, Mrs. Mellop had intense faith in her own cleverness and in man's stupidity, and went forth to conquer. No wonder that Audrey--knowing her father's adamantine nature--laughed as the would-be Lady Branwin fluttered out, all smiles and chiffons. "If she's going out for wool, she will come home shorn," thought Audrey, and went away to put on her quietest frock. When she arrived at Buckingham Street, Strand, Miss Toat was duly waiting to hear what she had learnt. Audrey had already arranged in her own mind what to say, and sat down feeling quite cool and composed. So calm did she seem that Miss Toat laughed in a vexed way. "So you have been unsuccessful--you have learnt nothing," she said promptly. "How do you know?" asked Audrey, quickly. "You would be more excited if you had found a clue. Well, Miss Branwin"--she leant her elbows on the table--"perhaps I am wrong. If you have learnt anything likely to be of value, let me hear it." "I have learnt nothing," said Audrey, cautiously; "nothing of any value." "You got Madame Coralie to remove her yashmak?" "Accident did that for me. It was ripped off by a tack as she rose." "Well?" asked Perry Toat, eagerly. "Well," replied Miss Branwin, coolly, "that's all." "But you had some conversation with her?" "Yes. But she could tell me nothing. She merely repeated what she had said at the inquest--that she left my mother in bed and came up the stairs to the still-room." "Did you mention anything about the discrepancy in time?" "Oh!"--Audrey was really dismayed--"I quite forgot to." "Ah, my dear young lady"--Perry Toat looked vexed again--"that is the most important question of the lot. Although, I daresay," she added consolingly, "you would not have had a true reply. I must look into the matter myself." "There is nothing to be learnt, Miss Toat. I am quite sure that Madame Coralie is innocent." "What makes you think so?" "I observed her face, and she did not change colour. She told me all that I have told you with the greatest frankness." "Naturally," said Miss Toat, doubtfully, "she would be on her guard with you." "I don't think she was," replied Audrey, with studied simplicity; "besides, she has promised to help me to find the criminal. She is most anxious to do so, because of her business." "I don't see how discovering the real criminal will improve the business." "Well"--Audrey looked pensive--"Madame Coralie is rather revengeful."