"Miss Bull," repeated George. "I remember, that was the boarder who foretold a violent death to Mrs. Jersey. But you read about that in the papers." Ireland nodded. "I did," he said; "and I also saw that you were in the house when Mrs. Jersey was murdered. You were a witness." "I can tell you about that. I----" "There is no need to tell me. I have not the time." Ireland looked at his watch. "In ten minutes I leave for my walk." George remonstrated. "But this is so important." "Not so important as my health. I can give you only the ten minutes, George. This Miss Bull called to ask me about the lease of the house to Mrs. Jersey. I knew nothing about that. When Lockwood died I sold the house to Lord Derrington----" "What--to my grandfather?" "Yes. But had I known he was the purchaser I should not have let him have it. He bought it through an agent. Since then I heard nothing more about the house. I did not even know it was a boarding-establishment until it appeared as such in the papers the other day. I wondered what you were doing at the inquest----" "I can explain." Ireland held up his hand. "I need no explanation. I know that Mrs. Jersey was really Eliza Stokes. I gathered that from the description given by Miss Bull in the course of our conversation. My suspicions were aroused by the fact that Lord Derrington had leased the Amelia Square house to Mrs. Jersey." "Why did he do that?" George spoke more to himself than to Ireland. "Well," said the old man rising, "it is my belief that Lord Derrington knows there was a marriage, and assisted Mrs. Jersey so that she should hold her tongue. Now there is no more time. I must go out," and Ireland walked to the door. George followed, knowing it was vain to attempt to turn him from his purpose, as the old man was most obstinate. "One moment," he said, on the door-step; "this blue domino connected with my father's murder--was she never traced?" "No. There was no means of tracing her. Except that she wore a piece of holly she carried no distinguishing mark." "Holly!" cried George, astounded. "Yellow holly?" "Yes. I don't know how you come to mention it, but the holly worn by the blue domino with whom your father went away had yellow berries." CHAPTER VII THE RED MAN