Darrel noted the expression of his face, and the enthusiasm of his reply, which was rather in the tones of his voice than the substance of his remark. "Oh!" thought the novelist, "can this be the proverbial woman who has caused the trouble?" "How long has Donna Maria been with Mr. Grent?" "Two years, more or less." "Of course, she speaks English?" "Extremely well," answered Vass promptly. "She was taught by Miss Lydia Hargone, who was quite like a daughter of the house, and left only six weeks ago." The nature of this reply seemed to strike Torry, for he made a note of this last name, but without comment, resumed his inquiries. "Mr. Grent lived at Wraybridge?" "Yes. In Wray House, a large mansion on the banks of the Thames." "Did he entertain much?" "Largely. He was fond of company, and so was Donna Inez." "Mrs. Grent, you mean?" "I do," replied Vass tartly. "But she prefers to be addressed in the Spanish style." "Do you know if Mr. Grent had any very intimate friends." "One or two," said the secretary, with some little hesitation. "Can you give me the names of the one or two?" asked Torry politely. "Well, Mr. Roderick Blake for one. He is an Irishman." "So I should judge from the name," said the detective drily! "and another friend, Mr. Vass?" The man hesitated and finally came out with another Spanish name. "If you insist upon knowing," said he, with reluctance, "there was Captain Manuel?" "Captain Manuel? Oh, indeed. Also from Peru?" "Yes, he came over to see Donna Inez, who is a relative of his, and, for the last three months, has been a constant visitor at Wray House." "May I ask a question?" said Darrel at this moment. Torry threw an inquiring glance in the direction of his friend and nodded. "If you like," he said graciously, wondering at Darrel's meaning. "In that case," said Frank, looking at the secretary, "I shall ask Mr. Vass if there are any love affairs at Wray House." "Love affairs?" stammered Vass plainly taken aback. "I do not quite catch your meaning." "Oh, that is your romance," cried Torry with a sly hit at Darrel's imagination. The novelist shook his head. "Two young men--two young women," said he, solemnly. "It is not in nature that there should not be some love spring up between the four." "Well, sir," said Vass, smiling a little, "I don't say but what you are not right. Captain Manuel is paying his address to Donna Maria, and I must admit that Miss Hargone is greatly admired by Mr. Blake." "I thought so," said Darrel triumphantly, and signed to Torry to continue his examination, which the detective did without further remark. "Do you know if Mr. Grent had any enemies?" he asked the secretary. "So far as I know he had not one," replied Vass promptly. "Mr. Grent was singularly popular." "When did you see him last?" "On Friday at four o'clock. He then said good-bye to me as he was going to Italy the next day for four months. That was the reason; no one was alarmed at his absence."