If Mrs.Vrain killed her husband she must have had a strong motive to do so." "Well," said Diana impatiently, "there is the assurance money." "I don't know if that motive is quite strong enough to justify this woman in risking her neck," responded the barrister.

"As Mrs.Vrain of Berwin Manor she had an ample income, for your father seems to have left all the rents to her, and spent but little on himself; also she had an assured position, and, on the whole, a happy life.

Why should she risk losing these advantages to gain more money ?" "She wanted to marry Ferruci," said Diana, driven to another point of defence.

"She was almost engaged to him before she married my foolish father; she invited him to Berwin Manor against the wish of her husband, and showed plainly that she loved him sufficiently to commit a crime for his sake.

With my father dead, and she in possession of L20,000, she could hope to marry this Italian." "Can you prove that she was so reckless ?" "Yes, I can," replied Miss Vrain defiantly.