"I believe that girl is deceiving me," cried Lucian angrily. "I went round to Jersey Street, as she asked me, and only saw Mrs. Bensusan, who said that Rhoda was out and would not be back for some time. Then I had to wait for you here and tell you all about your father, so the thing slipped my memory. I have not been near the place since, but I'll go round there to-night. Whatever is Miss Greeb thinking of?" cried Lucian, breaking off quickly. "That front door bell has been ringing for at least five minutes!" To Diana's amusement, Lucian went and shouted down the stairs to Miss Greeb, but as no reply came, and the bell was still ringing furiously, he was obliged to open the door himself. On the step there stood a little woman in a tailor-made brown frock, a plainly trimmed brown straw hat with a black gauze velvet-spotted veil. At once Denzil guessed who she was. "You are Mrs. Clear?" he said, delighted that she had replied so quickly to his advertisement, for it had only that morning appeared in the newspapers. "Yes, I am," answered the woman, in a quick, sharp voice. "Are you the L. D. who advertised for me?" "Yes. Come upstairs. I have much to say to you." "Diana," said Lucian, on entering the room with his prize, "let me introduce you to Mrs. Clear." "Mrs. Clear! Are you the wife of the man who was murdered in the house opposite?" Mrs. Clear uttered a cry of astonishment, and turned as if to retreat. But Denzil was between her and the door, so she saw that there was nothing for it but to outface the situation. As though she found it difficult to breathe, she threw up her veil, and Diana beheld a thin white face with two brilliant black eyes. "This is a trap," said Mrs. Clear, hoarsely, looking from the one to the other. "Who are you?" "I," said Lucian, politely, "I am the man who met your husband before----" "My husband! I have my husband in an asylum. You can't have met him!" "You are telling a falsehood," said Diana fiercely. "The gentleman in the asylum of Dr. Jorce is not your husband, but my father!" "Your father? And who are you?" "I am Diana Vrain." Mrs. Clear gave a screech, and dropped back on to the sofa, staring at Diana with wide-open and terrified eyes. "And now, Mrs. Clear, I see you realise the situation," Lucian said coldly. "You must confess your share in this conspiracy." "What conspiracy?" she interrupted furiously. "The putting of Mr. Vrain into an asylum, and the passing off of your husband, Michael Clear, as him." "I don't know anything about it." "Come, now, you talk nonsense! If you refuse to speak I'll have you arrested at once." "Arrest me!" She bounded off the sofa with flashing eyes.