"What you told me yesterday is the truth," said Miss Hest bitterly. "He is a scoundrel and--as it seems probable--a murderer. Yet I had no suspicions of him, not even when he sent that Indian down here." "Hokar?" said Towton, secretly pleased that his doubts on this point were about to be resolved. "Yes. Some time ago he came here with a letter from Francis, saying that he was to remain here for a time. I gave him house-room and did not pay much attention to the man, as I thought it was only another of my brother's philanthropic schemes. But, from what you said yesterday, this Hokar is connected with Mr. Maunders and my brother in their wickedness. Oh," Frances struck the table with her clenched hands, "to think that our name should be so disgraced by my brother!" "What have you discovered?" "That he is The Spider. Yes; there can be no doubt of that. See!" She took a long blue envelope from her pocket and opened it to display a paper. "This is a mortgage on Gerby Hall and on all the property," she explained. "The Deed of Gift to me is worth nothing. Interest is due on the mortgage, and unless it is paid, the man to whom the money is owing will foreclose. No wonder Francis presented me with the estates. They are worth nothing and less than nothing. I am actually a pauper." "Oh, I am extremely sorry to hear that, Miss Hest. But how does this paper prove that your brother is The Spider?" "It proves that I am a pauper and nothing more. But I discovered amongst my brother's papers the will of poor Mr. Dimsdale." Towton started to his feet. "What! is there a will?" "Yes. It is signed by Martin Dimsdale and witnessed by George Venery, of Singapore, and Walter Smith, of Hong-Kong. After what you said yesterday, I made up my mind that I would no longer be in the dark regarding my brother's doings. I therefore broke open his desk, which he always kept safely locked, and found a written statement regarding Ida not being Mr. Dimsdale's daughter, but the child of a certain Mr. Menteith." "Your brother must have learned that story from Miss Jewin," said the Colonel. "For Maunders declared that she knew the history." "I quite believe it," replied Miss Hest. "For the statement was signed by Sarah Jewin. I have not spoken to her yet, but I shall do so to-morrow. She was in India with my father and mother and afterwards in Burmah. I expect she heard the story there, and related it to Francis. He added to it." "Oh!" Towton remembered about the embroidery to the tale. "Then Mr. Dimsdale did not purposely delay the relief expedition which was to rescue Menteith?" "No. He pressed on with all speed. But Francis invented that wicked lie so as to get money from Mr. Dimsdale. How Francis got the will I can't say. He certainly called at 'Rangoon' once or twice when he was in London, but I scarcely think Mr. Dimsdale would have given him the will."